Alcohol Before Surgery? Anesthesiologist Warns of Risks

Anesthesiologist Dr. Kunal Sood has detailed the significant risks associated with consuming alcohol before undergoing surgery. He explains that alcohol directly interferes with anesthetic medications by affecting the central nervous system pathways they both utilize. This interaction can dampen the effectiveness of standard anesthetic doses, potentially necessitating larger amounts of medication to achieve adequate sedation.

The consequences of alcohol consumption are multifaceted. Acute intoxication can paradoxically lower the amount of anesthesia required, elevating the risk of severe oversedation, respiratory depression, and aspiration. Alcohol also compromises airway reflexes and slows gastric emptying, both of which introduce heightened risks during the induction phase of anesthesia. Furthermore, it can cause vasodilation and blood pressure drops, exacerbating the effects of anesthesia itself.

Beyond immediate anesthetic concerns, alcohol negatively impacts the body's natural healing and immune functions. It impairs platelet function and coagulation, increasing the likelihood of intraoperative bleeding. This compromised healing response also slows postoperative recovery and raises the risk of infection or wound complications. Dr. Sood emphasizes that patients must inform their anesthesiologist about any recent alcohol consumption to allow for appropriate adjustments in anesthetic strategy and reduce potential adverse outcomes.