Influence of alcohol on morbidity after colonic surgery

Postoperative morbidity after colorectal surgery was retrospectively investigated, comparing 32 alcoholics (≥60 gm of alcohol a day) to 32 controls (<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<.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 daysvs. 17 days) (P>.01). This apparent increased surgical risk in alcoholics is reevaluated in prospective investigations.