LAUSR

Purpose of ReviewIncreasing number of very old patients (> 80 year old) are presenting for invasive procedures and surgeries. This review addresses perioperative outcomes after cardiac and non-cardiac surgery, in octogenarians and older patients.Recent FindingsThe overall rates of major upper abdominal cancer resections in octogenarians are increasing over time. Postoperative mortality, postoperative admission to the intensive care unit, and discharge to non-home disposition, after emergency general surgery, were strongly associated with age greater than 80 years. Though acceptable, perioperative morbidity and mortality tends to increase non-linearly after the age of 75 years in patients undergoing cardiac operations.SummaryClinician-centric outcomes continue to dominate outcome reporting. Octogenarians have higher risk of mortality and increased rates of complications, both after cardiac and non-cardiac surgeries. Perioperative care is more resource intensive in the elderly. It is important to keep these factors in mind when contemplating interventions in very elderly individuals.