title: Acute surgical emergencies in patients at or near the end of life.
abstract: Patients with advanced or incurable preexisting illnesses often develop acute surgical emergencies. The decision to proceed with aggressive surgical intervention or provide comfort measures and symptomatic relief is often difficult. This article provides an organized overview of the multiple considerations required to produce optimal patient outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA.
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Townsend