Avoid pneumonia – don’t drink before surgery

By IANS

Berlin : Consistent drinking could trigger pneumonia and lung infection after surgery, according to a new study that recommends patients considering surgery to control their drinking habits.


Support TwoCircles

The scientists at the University Hospital Charité, Universitaetsmedizin Berlin gave 32 female mice either a certain quantity of alcohol or saline for eight days. On the eighth day, all mice underwent abdominal surgery.

Results showed worse clinical outcomes among the alcohol-exposed mice than the saline-exposed mice, reported science portal EurekAlert.

People who drink often have immune-function problems following surgery. For example, patients who consume alcohol long-term have a two-to-five-fold greater chance of post-operation infection complications, scientists say.

Surgery can be scheduled or the result of an accident, said researcher Claudia Spies.

“A significantly high rate of complications can develop in patients who consume alcohol at levels that are less than excessive,” Spies explained.

Some 20 percent of the adult population admitted to general hospitals drink three beers or two glasses of wine on a daily basis for a prolonged period.

These patients can exhibit a higher rate of pneumonia after surgery, a higher rate of heart muscle disease, a higher rate of confusion post surgery, and significant increase in bleeding complications.

In addition, some 50 percent patients who are committed to hospitals after an accident were injured under the influence of alcohol. Consequently, the rate of immune-system complications in emergency medicines is also very high.

“Furthermore,” said Spies, “individuals should – in addition to monitoring their alcohol habits with a view to surgery – be honest about the level of their drinking when asked by a doctor.”

The information could be potentially lifesaving, because knowing about the elevated risk, the anaesthetist and the surgeon can take precautions.

And doctors should make it a rule to question each and every patient about their drinking habits. That means they should not only ask them if they drink, but also specify the amounts they should consume per day.”

The study is published in the February issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research journal.

SUPPORT TWOCIRCLES HELP SUPPORT INDEPENDENT AND NON-PROFIT MEDIA. DONATE HERE