Perioperative alcohol cessation intervention reduces postoperative complications

Intensive alcohol cessation interventions in the perioperative period reduced postoperative complications (eg, wound‐related complications, secondary surgery, cardiopulmonary complications, admission to intensive care) as defined by the need for treatment (moderate-quality evidence). Intensive alcohol cessation interventions increased successful quitting (number of abstainers) at the end of the programme (moderate-quality evidence). There was insufficient evidence to determine if there were any differences in effect of intervention on mortality, length of hospital stay or postoperative alcohol consumption (grams of alcohol per week). Participants were identified as those with “risky drinking” – alcohol consumption equivalent to more than 3 alcoholic units per day or 21AU per week (1AU = 12g ethanol) with or without symptoms of alcohol abuse or dependency.