• S Klein and U Kunath.
• Chirurgische Abteilung, Krankenhaus Am Urban, Berlin.
• Zentralbl Chir. 1996 Jan 1;121(1):8-13.

AbstractThe percentage of elderly people among surgical patients has been continuously rising. The purpose of this study was to show the course of operation and hospitalization of seniors in a department for general surgery. 191 patients aged 75 or older underwent surgery during the six months of observation. Information about preoperative social and environmental conditions, operative and postoperative treatments, complications, secondary symptoms and rehabilitation and homecare after discharge was retrospectively compiled. Women comprised 76.4% (146 cases) of the patients; men 23.6% (45 cases). Mandatory surgery was necessary in 37.7% of all operations, while 62.3% were required to be handled on an emergency basis. The average age was 83.2 years (+/- 5.26). 33 (17.3%) of the patients on whom had been operated did not survive. 84.8% (28) of these cases had undergone emergency surgery, 15.2% (5) had been operated on routinely. For 66% (126) of the patients the course of hospitalization was without any complications. Discharge into the accustomed environment was possible for 74.7% (118) of the successful cases. Old patients show a good physical and psychological acceptance of surgery and hospitalization, if they are well prepared and secondary symptoms are appropriately therapied. The decision for routine operation in sufficient time can help avoid an emergency operation with poor prognosis.

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