Surgery in the nursing home patient

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Surgery
• Surgical Subspecialties
• General Surgery

Background:

• The growing elderly population presents unique challenges and demands for surgical care.
• Existing surgical fields like pediatric and plastic surgery have evolved into recognized subspecialties.
• There is a potential need for dedicated geriatric surgical services to address this demographic shift.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential development of a Geriatric Surgical Consult Service into a formal surgical subspecialty.
• To assess the complexity of surgical problems encountered in the geriatric patient population.
• To evaluate the capacity of general surgeons to manage common geriatric surgical conditions.

Main Methods:

• Review of surgical cases within a geriatric patient cohort (small series).
• Analysis of the types and complexity of surgical issues presented.
• Assessment of the role and capabilities of general surgeons in managing these cases.

Main Results:

• Surgical problems in the observed geriatric patient series were frequently straightforward.
• Well-trained general surgeons demonstrated capability in managing common issues like wound care, intravenous line placement, breast disease, and alimentary tract disease.
• The expanding geriatric population suggests a future demand for specialized surgical expertise.

Conclusions:

• A Geriatric Surgical Consult Service has the potential to become a recognized surgical subspecialty.
• General surgeons are well-equipped to handle many common surgical needs of elderly patients.
• Further development of specialized geriatric surgical care may be warranted for complex cases.