Key result
Surgeon age linked to U-shaped complication risk, worsening after age 55 for low-volume operators.
Why the study?
The relationship between surgeon age and surgical complications across specialties and volumes was unclear, necessitating synthesis of evidence.
Is there an association between surgeon age and surgical complications?
Meta-Analysis (n=72,000)
Is there an association between surgeon age and surgical complications?
The relationship between surgeon age and surgical complications is U-shaped and heavily moderated by surgical volume, supporting individualized assessment rather than strict age-based retirement policies.
Supports volume-based retention of older surgeons over strict age limits; leaves open prospective validation of causality and specialty effects.
This meta-analysis synthesizes evidence on the relationship between surgeon age and surgical complications, incorporating 2.3 million procedures by 72,000 surgeons. Using PRISMA guidelines, we analyzed studies from 1990 to 2024 across multiple surgical specialties. Results demonstrate a U-shaped relationship between surgeon age and complications, moderated by surgical volume and specialty. High-volume surgeons maintained consistent outcomes until age 70, while low-volume surgeons showed significant age effects after 55. Complex procedures demonstrated stronger age effects than minimally invasive ones. Findings support individualized assessment over age-based policies, emphasizing the importance of volume maintenance and continuous education.
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Mussa et al. (2025) conducted a meta-analysis in Surgical procedures (n=72,000). Surgeon age was evaluated on Surgical complications. Surgeon age demonstrated a U-shaped relationship with surgical complications, with high-volume surgeons maintaining consistent outcomes until age 70 and low-volume surgeons showing effects after 55.
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