title: Perioperative care of the elderly patient: special considerations.
abstract: Unlike older studies, which cited age as an independent risk factor for surgical mortality, recent studies indicate that the presence of underlying diseases and the type, duration and urgency of surgery are better predictors of outcome than age alone. A preoperative assessment that defines medical, functional, and psychosocial problems of elderly patients can lead to interventions to improve surgical outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D018570:Risk Assessment