Considerations in Geriatric Anesthesia - An overview

Abstract

Geriatric population is estimated to be 12.4% of population in India by the year 2026. As the population continues to age, the number of surgical interventions in the elderly (≥65yr) also continues to rise.Two important principles that makes the elderly more vulnerable is that first aging is associated with a progressive loss of functional reserve in multiple organ systems and secondly the extent and onset of these changes are highly variable on an individual basis. This article reviews the perianesthetic considerations for geriatric population emphasizing the need for utmost care and concern in the following three categories: preoperative evaluation and considerations, intra-operative management, and postoperative concerns. Due to the increased incidence of adverse events in geriatric population a meticulous risk stratification of these patients undergoing various surgical procedures preoperatively may help guide decisions on adequate perioperative management as well as reduce untoward complications.