Ankle fractures and alcoholism. The influence of alcoholism on morbidity after malleolar fractures.
The postoperative morbidity after osteosynthesis of malleolar fractures was investigated retrospectively by comparing 90 alcohol abusers with 90 controls. The two groups were selected from 626 male patients and were matched regarding trauma, treatment for cardiovascular, pulmonary and endocrine diseases, age, weight, smoking habits, anaesthesia and duration of surgery. The alcohol abusers developed significantly more early complications, especially infections, after surgery. Follow-up at six, nine and 12 weeks after surgery also revealed a significantly higher morbidity among the alcoholics.
Tønnesen
H
H
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Pedersen
A
A
Jensen
M R
MR
Møller
A
A
Madsen
J C
JC
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D017102:Fracture Healing; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors