Preop conditions that predict postop outcomes, mortality in elderly

Editor's Note

In patients 85 years of age and older, surgical complexity and certain geriatric variables (malnutrition, frailty), which are overlooked in American Society of Anesthesiologists and most other scores, were relevant in predicting postoperative outcomes and mortality, finds this study.

Of 127 patients who completed follow-up, 30-day mortality was 7.9%. The three predictors of mortality were malnutrition, surgical complexity, and osteoporosis/osteoporotic fractures.

Significant predictors of morbidity were ischemic heart disease and surgical complexity. 

Two factors were predictive of longer admissions, surgical complexity and frailty.

Risk factors for escalation of care in living conditions were slow gait, surgical complexity, and hypertension.