Influence of alcohol on morbidity after colonic surgery

Abstract

Postoperative morbidity after colorectal surgery was retrospectively investigated, comparing 32 alcoholics (greater than or equal to 60 gm of alcohol a day) to 32 controls (less than 25 gm of alcohol a day). The material originated from 260 male patients and the two groups were paired with respect to operative procedure, diagnosis, age-complicating cardiopulmonary diseases, weight, and smoking habits. Postoperative morbidity was higher (P less than .01) in the alcohol group (59 percent with major complications, 75 percent with major and minor complications) compared with the control group (19 percent with major, 33 percent with major and minor). The alcoholics also stayed longer in the hospital (26 days vs. 17 days) (P greater than .01). This apparent increased surgical risk in alcoholics is reevaluated in prospective investigations.

Alcohol Exposure as a Risk Factor for Adverse Outcomes in Elective Surgery

“…Other studies reported increased risk of complications in alcoholic patients after colon and rectal surgery, hysterectomy, and resection of lung cancer, but were also performed with small cohorts of patients and controls. [19][20][21] Collectively, these studies suggest that immunosuppressive effects of chronic alcohol may negatively impact the development of postsurgical complications. In our study, alcohol also appeared to accelerate the appearance of two adverse outcomes, namely, sepsis and wound disruption.…”

Brewing complications: the effect of acute ethanol exposure on wound healing

“…Specifically, several studies have shown increased anastomotic leakage rates in patients undergoing intestinal surgeries following alcohol use [107][108][109]. Although there are a fair number of studies showing decreased strength in intestinal or mucosal healing, there are relatively few detailing similar effects in other tissues [110].…”

Lymphopenia in Heavy Drinkers - Reversibility and Relation to the Duration of Drinking Episodes

“…This phenomenon seems to be potentiated by stress for example, surgical operations (2,3). A marked depression in the number of circulating lymphocytes has been documented in alcoholics but no consistent depression in the number of other white cells has been reported (4).…”