Surgery in elderly patients.

Operations on patients over 65 years old are increasing steadily in number and complexity. Demographic trends indicate that future increases will be even greater. We reviewed patients having operations of diverse type and magnitude to determine results, with emphasis on the influence of age. Increased risk in older persons was most evident in emergency situations where the frequently associated systemic diseases and the inevitable diminution in organ functional reserves could not be adequately treated or compensated. Appropriate management of elderly patients through surgical procedures requires knowledge of the peculiarities in their responses to disease, medications, and other stimuli.