Age related risk and prevention of postoperative complications

Perioperative morbidity in elderly patients has decreased in last years, with the advent of newer surgical, anaesthetic and monitoring techniques, but is still important when compared with that of younger patients. Complications in the post-operative show different frequencies and mainly depend: a) on age-related conditions of pulmonary, cardiovascular and renal functions, of C.N.S. and of nutritional status; b) on surgery and medication-related risk factors, inclusive of emergency, bedrest, analgesia and infusions, drugs and intensive care; c) on neoplastic or non-neoplastic disease, type of surgery and surgeon's experience. Appropriate surgical intervention, therefore, should not be deferred because the patient is elderly, but surgeon must look beyond measured indices to the qualities of vitality and motivation.