title: Geriatric small bowel obstruction: an analysis of treatment and outcomes compared with a younger cohort.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common condition, but little is known about its presentation, management, and outcomes in geriatric patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was performed comparing geriatric (≥65 years of age) and nongeriatric patients admitted with SBO. Admission characteristics, treatment, and outcomes were compared. Data analysis included Student t test and chi-square test or Fisher's exact test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 80 geriatric and 136 nongeriatric patients, no difference was observed among admission characteristics, treatment, time to or type of surgery, length of postoperative stay, or overall complications. Cardiac complications (15% vs 0%, P = .0082) and subacute care facility discharge (29% vs 5%, P < .001) were more common for geriatric patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with younger adults, elderly patients with SBO have similar presentations and overall outcomes with the exception of cardiac morbidity and discharge disposition. Preoperative attention to cardiac risk profile and discharge disposition discussion should be encouraged.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Krause
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. Electronic address: trwebb@mcw.edu.
authors.forename: Travis P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Webb
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D007421:Intestine, Small; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Acute care surgery; Elderly; Geriatric; Outcomes; Small bowel obstruction