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Last night I drank heavily and tomorrow I have an operation. Is there a chance that the anesthetics won't kick in?
Feb 10, 2013

Dr. Jean Esso Anesthesiology
All depends on your usual alcoholic consumption.
When large amounts of alcohol are consumed in a short period of time (binge drinking), acute alcohol poisoning can result and in such case only small doses are required for the anesthesia to kick in.
However, chronic alcohol misuse increases the dose required to induce anesthesia. Alcohol-dependant patients are also at risk for many problems after surgery including withdrawal and increased need for pain killers.
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