title: Identification and treatment of alcohol use disorders in the perioperative period.
abstract: Patients with alcohol use disorders who undergo surgery face added risks and longer recovery time. Identification of such patients may reduce these risks, allow physicians to increase awareness of surgical requirements, and minimize postoperative complications. This article defines the alcohol problems encountered, describes preoperative screening tests and treatments, and discusses postoperative assessment and management of complications such as alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Pennsylvania 15240, USA. adam.gordon@med.va.gov
authors.forename: Adam J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Josh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Olstein
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Conigliaro
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D019990:Perioperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000628:therapy