Perioperative alcohol cessation intervention for postoperative complications

Area of Science:

• Surgery
• Addiction Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Risky alcohol consumption is a global health issue linked to over 3.3 million deaths annually.
• High alcohol intake increases the risk of postoperative complications, including infections and bleeding.
• Alcohol abuse negatively impacts liver, pancreas, and nervous system function, potentially worsening surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of perioperative alcohol cessation interventions on postoperative complication rates.
• To assess the effect of these interventions on patients' alcohol consumption levels.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
• Included participants with risky alcohol consumption undergoing various surgical procedures.
• Defined risky drinking as >3 alcoholic units/day or 21 units/week.

Main Results:

• Three RCTs with 140 participants were included; all interventions were intensive and included pharmacological support.
• Postoperative complications were reduced in the intervention group (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.96) with moderate evidence.
• Successful quitting rates were significantly higher in the intervention group (RR 8.22, 95% CI 1.67 to 40.44) with moderate evidence.

Conclusions:

• Intensive perioperative alcohol cessation interventions probably reduce postoperative complications.
• These interventions significantly increase successful quitting rates.
• Limited study numbers and small sample sizes necessitate caution; further high-quality RCTs are needed.