Evolution during half a century of the results of digestive surgery in geriatric patients. A review of the literature, experience at C.H.U. Brugmann and the medium term outlook.
The undertaking of complex and major surgical procedures on frail elderly patients with multiple disorders has always been and still remains a controversial and enigmatic issue. At the same time, in an increasingly ageing society, the need for such procedures will extend and patients will expect a more favourable outcome. Surgery in old age will, therefore, pose an ongoing challenge. With better anaesthetic management, surgical techniques and comprehensive geriatric assessment, the overall results for all surgery have improved remarkably over the last few decades. Stringent pre-operative assessment and rigorous post-operative care have achieved a significant reduction in mortality and morbidity; surgery has become a lot safer.
Mendes Da Costa
P
P
Department of Digestive, Laparoscopic and Thoracic Surgery, C.H.U. Brugmann. pierre.mdc@chu-brugmann.be
Pepersack
Th
T
Simoens
Ch
Ch
Smets
D
D
Thill
V
V
Ngongang
Ch
Ch
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001530:Belgium; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000266:history* / Q000639:trends; D016330:Frail Elderly; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome