Predicting Outcomes in Elderly Patients Needing Emergency Surgery
Author Information
Author(s): Rix Thomas E, Bates Tom
Primary Institution: Eastbourne District General Hospital, Eastbourne, East Sussex, UK
Hypothesis
Is there a reliable and accurate scoring system to help decide if an elderly person being considered for an emergency laparotomy will be made better or worse by surgery?
Conclusion
Risk scores may be helpful in sick elderly patients needing emergency abdominal surgery but an experienced clinical opinion is still essential.
Supporting Evidence
- Risk scores can help predict outcomes for elderly patients needing emergency surgery.
- The ASA score is commonly used but is subjective and may not always be accurate.
- Many scoring systems require information that is not available in emergency situations.
Takeaway
Doctors use special scores to help decide if elderly patients should have emergency surgery, but they still need to use their judgment.
Methodology
A Medline search was performed to identify predictive risk-scores relevant to sick elderly patients in whom emergency surgery might be life-saving.
Potential Biases
The ASA score is subjective and may vary between observers, which can introduce bias.
Limitations
Many risk scores are not specific to elderly patients and often require information that may not be available in emergency situations.
Participant Demographics
Focus on elderly patients requiring emergency surgery.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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