[Age as risk factor in elective and emergent surgery]

This paper focuses on the current evidence regarding age as an independent predictor of impaired post-operative outcome and on the possibilities of perioperative interventions in elective and emergent surgery. Co-morbidity and functional parameters, i.e. frailty, are better predictors than age and can be combined with intraoperative data to help identifying patients who might benefit from increased level of care and observation. Most elderly patients go through surgery without impaired outcome, however, further studies are needed to identify who might benefit from increased level of care.