title: Perioperative management of special populations: the geriatric patient.
abstract: Americans over age 65 represent the fastest growing segment of the United States population. As a result, the demographic landscape of America is changing. Knowledge of aged physiology is necessary to construct a risk-benefit analysis tailored for each patient to improve perioperative outcomes and lower the morbidity and mortality rates among the elderly. Benefit estimates should account for a patient's life expectancy and quality of life before and after surgery. With aging, baseline functions of almost every organ system undergo progressive decline resulting in a decreased physiologic reserve and ability to compensate for stress. Pain control, postoperative cognitive dysfunction, end-of-life issues, and realistic expectations after surgery are paramount issues throughout the perioperative period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Loran
authors.forename: Brannon R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Hyde
authors.forename: Joseph B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Zwischenberger
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D018529:Nutritional Support; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics