Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026
Thoracoscopic Extended Right Middle Plus Lower Sleeve Lobectomy for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Published on: February 27, 2026
Complications and long-term survival for alcoholic patients with resectable lung cancer
Douglas E Paull1, Glenda M Updyke, Carolyn A Davis
1Department of Surgery, Wright State University School of Medicine, Veterans Administration Medical Center, 4100 W. Third St., Dayton, OH 45428, USA. douglas.paull@med.va.gov
Background:
The aim of this study was to determine the surgical risks and long-term survival in alcoholic patients undergoing resection for non-small-cell lung cancer.
Methods:
Nineteen resected patients comprising the alcoholic group were identified by either a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV diagnosis of alcohol dependence/abuse, or an alcohol consumption of 60 oz/d or more. Alcoholic patients were compared with 37 nonalcoholic patients undergoing resection.
Results:
Alcoholic patients had an increase in major infectious complications (37% [7 of 19] versus 5% [2 of 37], P = 0.005), respiratory failure (42% [8 of 19] versus 5% [2 of 37], P
Conclusions:
Alcohol abuse significantly increases the risk and cost of lung cancer resection. For alcoholic patients surviving the perioperative period, long-term survival appears similar to non-alcohol-abusing patients.
