How do geriatric patients recover from surgery?

Age is often a marker for comorbid illnesses that may complicate attempts at surgical intervention. Careful selection is important in deciding to recommend surgery for geriatric patients, but selected elderly patients may even benefit from major surgery. Ancillary services, such as nutrition, nursing, and physical therapy, are particularly important components in the postoperative care of geriatric patients. Case series have shown the ability of geriatric patients to recover from major surgical procedures, including cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, and oncologic surgery. In general, advanced age is not a contraindication to surgery but it reinforces the need for careful preoperative evaluation and vigorous postoperative support of the patient.