title: [The smoking and drinking patient].
abstract: Daily smokers and heavy drinkers develop two to four times more complications after major as well as minor surgery. Increased postoperative morbidity is probably due to tobacco and alcohol-related organ dysfunctions which are, however, reversible during abstinence. Preoperative smoking cessation intervention for six to eight weeks significantly reduces postoperative complications after knee and hip replacement. Four weeks of preoperative alcohol intervention significantly improves organ functions before surgery, and reduces complications after colorectal surgery. Preoperative prevention programs are cost-effective. In conclusion, according to present evidence the smoking and drinking patient should be identified, informed, and offered preoperative prevention whenever possible.
authors.affiliation: H:S Bispebjerg Hospital, Klinisk Enhed for Sygdomsforebyggelse/WHO Collaborating Centre for Evidence-Based Health Promotion in Hospitals, København NV. ht02@bbh.hosp.dk
authors.forename: Hanne
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tønnesen
authors.forename: Ann M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Møller
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000191:economics; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000191:economics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects*