Postoperative morbidity after hysterectomy was studied prospectively in 229 consecutive patients in our departments. The incidence of alcohol abuse (> or = 60 gm of alcohol daily) and moderate drinking (between 25 and 60 gm of alcohol daily) was 6.5% for each. When compared with the moderate drinkers and the control group, the alcohol abusers developed significantly more complications (80% versus 27% and 80% versus 13% respectively). Preoperative history of alcohol consumption may define a group of patients at particular risk for increased postoperative morbidity.