Key result
Emergency major surgery in patients ≥70 is linked to ~37% post-operative mortality versus elective procedures.
Why the study?
Post-operative mortality rates and causes of death in geriatric patients undergoing major surgery were not well characterized.
Population
17,199 surgical patients, approximately 20% aged 70 years or more
Comparison
Emergency vs elective surgery; operations lasting more than 2 h vs less than 2 h; Macrodex infusion vs no infusion during high-risk operations
Design
Observational cohort study
Follow-up
Post-operative period up to 7 days
Authors
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Supports heightened perioperative vigilance in geriatric emergency cases; leaves open need for prospective trials on modifiable risks.
Observational (n=17,199)
Geriatric patients face high post-operative mortality, particularly in emergency and prolonged surgeries, with pulmonary embolism being a leading cause of death.
Palmberg et al. (2009) conducted an observational in Post-operative mortality (n=17,199). Surgery was evaluated on Post-operative mortality in major operations for patients aged ≥70 years. Post-operative mortality for patients aged 70 or older in major operations was 9.2%, with emergency operations carrying a 36.8% mortality rate compared to 7.8% for elective surgery.
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