Surgical Considerations for the Geriatric Urology Patient.

Introduction: As the number of geriatric patients continues to increase, urologists will encounter more elderly patients who require counseling about medical or surgical management of their conditions. In this review we provide a practical pathway for the elderly patient being considered for urological surgery.

Methods: Our review includes preoperative evaluation and assessment for cognition, frailty, functional status, falls, cardiovascular and pulmonary status, and nutritional state.

Major urologic problems in geriatrics: assessment and management.

Elderly urologic patients require the same cautions as used in development of treatment programs for them in other disciplines. Because of potential interference with poor renal function or crossover effects with central or peripheral nervous system, however, many urologic drugs must be titrated appropriately. In treating cancer, erectile dysfunction, incontinence or urinary infection, patient quality of life and life span become dominant factors in making therapeutic decisions, by behavioral change, medication, or surgical intervention.