[Preoperative evaluation, management and outcome in the elderly patient]

Two principles should be kept in mind when performing preoperative evaluation of the elderly patient. First, we should suspect the disease processes commonly associated with aging. Second, we should assess the degree of functional reserve of specific, pertinent organ systems. Preoperative risk assessment is focused on detailed review from anamnesis and physical examination together with the assessment of functional status. Especially, it is important to examine the cardiovascular and respiratory functions in the elderly patient. Further, this also includes assessment of consumed drugs, physiological function, cognitive function, competency, availability of social support, and sign of depression. Surgical risk and outcome in the elderly patient depend primarily on four factors: age, the patient's physiological status and coexisting disease, whether the surgery is elective or urgent, and the type of procedures.