Table 2.
Clinical complications after colorectal resection, according to whether patients had abstained from alcohol in month before operation
| Detail | Intervention group (no alcohol; n=16) | Control group (n=19) | P value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| No of minor complications: | 5 | 17 | |
| Wound infections (requiring surgical intervention) | 3 | 4 | |
| Wound haematoma (surgical intervention) | 0 | 1 | |
| Pneumonia (stethoscopy and x ray confirmation) | 0 | 5 | |
| Thrombophlebitis (venography) | 1 | 0 | |
| Haematemesis | 0 | 1 | |
| Subileus (retention ⩾7 days) | 0 | 1 | |
| Dehydration (readmission for IV rehydration) | 0 | 2 | |
| Urinary infection (⩾105 bacteria/ml) | 1 | 2 | |
| Fistula (external) | 0 | 1 | |
| No of major complications: | 5 | 14 | |
| Fascial rupture | 0 | 3 | |
| Intra-abdominal bleeding (requiring surgical intervention and transfusion) | 0 | 1 | |
| Intra-abdominal abscess (drainage) | 1 | 2 | |
| Anastomotic leakage (surgical intervention) | 2 | 2 | |
| Ileus (surgical intervention) | 0 | 1 | |
| Cardiopulmonary insufficiency (intensive care) | 1 | 4 | |
| Acute myocardial infarction (increased enzymes, ECG changes) | 0 | 0 | |
| Sepsis (bacteriaemia and fever) | 1 | 1 | |
| Pulmonary embolism (positive ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy) | 0 | 0 | |
| Psychosis (hallucinations requiring pharmacological treatment) | 0 | 0 | |
| No of patients with: | |||
| Any complication | 5/16 | 14/19 | 0.02 |
| Major complications | 2/16 | 8/19 | 0.07 |
| Minor complications | 4/16 | 11/19 | 0.09 |
| Patints who required secondary surgery: | |||
| Intraperitoneal | 2/16 | 8/19 | 0.07 |
| Superficial | 3/16 | 4/19 | 1.00 |
| Mortality | 1/16 | 2/19 | 1.00 |
*
Fisher’s exact test.