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Anesthesia Considerations for the Geriatric Patient

  • Surgical Care for the Geriatric Patient (F Luchette and R Gonzalez, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review discusses the pathophysiology and medical challenges facing the provider when dealing with the geriatric patient population. We discuss not only physiologic issues but also cognitive and social problems that complicate the management of these patients.

Recent Findings

The phenotype of frailty adversely affects patient outcomes. Assuming the physical condition of the patient is not impaired; age alone is not a predictor of poor outcomes, even in complex surgical cases. There is little evidence that one approach of anesthesia is superior to another in regard to outcomes, though there may be some benefits in choosing regional anesthesia techniques.

Summary

The geriatric patient population continues to grow and we will see more patients at the extremes of age (>80) presenting not only for urgent/emergent but also for elective, non-palliative procedures. Ongoing multicenter trials are underway to help understand the implications of anesthesia choice in these patients.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 S. First Avenue, Bldg. 103, Room 3113, LUH North Entrance 3121, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA

    Steven B. Edelstein & Jonathan E. Metry

Authors
  1. Steven B. Edelstein
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  2. Jonathan E. Metry
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Correspondence to Steven B. Edelstein.

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Conflict of Interest

Steven Edelstein and Jonathan Metry declare no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Surgical Care for the Geriatric Patient

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Edelstein, S.B., Metry, J.E. Anesthesia Considerations for the Geriatric Patient. Curr Geri Rep 6, 115–121 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-017-0206-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-017-0206-0

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