Objective: The objective of this review article is to briefly synthesize the most current information and data regarding smoking-induced Buerger’s disease, its occasional progression to gangrene, and its treatment and prognosis.

Methodology: A literature search was conducted using PubMed and Medscape databases for article published between 2013 and 2016 using keywords relevant to the objective of the review. After eliminating irrelevant results, the authors read each article in its entirety to determine applicability for inclusion. A more general web search for synthesis articles and government documents was also conducted.

Results: Buerger’s disease is much more common among males than females and exhibits a dose–response relationship with frequency and duration of smoking. Early diagnosis, successful smoking cessation, and proper nursing care are associated with good prognosis. In cases where patients develop gangrenous necrosis associated with Buerger’s disease, prognosis is poorer. However amputation is not inevitable. Amputation is associated with complex infection and evidence of occlusion in the main arteries.

Conclusion: It is concluded that continued emphasis on smoking prevention and cessation is important, particularly in developing countries, where a lack of data may allow tobacco companies to claim that their products are not harmful.

Ishaq Khan, MD, MSPH, FACP, PhD, is a Research Affiliate at Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and a consultant in neurosciences, with a focus on stroke and neurological disorders. He is associated with the Stroke & Mental Health Foundation and has extensive experience in medical research, academic presentations, and publications across multiple areas of healthcare. His research interests include cardiovascular diseases, stroke and neuropsychiatric disorders, anti-tobacco and cancer research, allergy and immunology, infectious diseases, tuberculosis, and emerging viral diseases, including COVID-19, SARS, Ebola, and avian influenza. Dr. Khan has authored several books, including Epidemiology of Stroke in a Developing Country (Pakistan), Forget & Forgive, and Smoking & Health – Peer Influence on Smoking Initiation Among Pakistani Adolescents. He has presented research at international medical conferences and published in medical journals. His professional achievements include travel grants, scholarships, and speaker awards from organizations including Eli Lilly, the American Medical Association, the World Allergy Organization, and international conferences on lung cancer, tobacco, and cancer research.