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Estimation of Surgical Risk in the Elderly: A Correlative Review
Author(s) -
MOHR DAVID N.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1983.tb05421.x
Subject(s) - medicine , disease , risk factor , dementia , diabetes mellitus , intensive care medicine , malignancy , surgical procedures , surgery , general surgery , endocrinology
Age continues to be a risk factor for overall mortality in elective and emergency surgical procedures. Postoperative pneumonias, life‐threatening cardiac complications, and malignancy‐related complications account for most deaths. Heart disease, dementia, and diabetes confer an additional surgical risk for elderly patients. Careful preoperative assessment, however, can categorize elderly patients into groups that are at no additional risk. Factors other than age should be considered in estimating surgical risk in the elderly.