Octogenarians: an increasing challenge for acute care and colorectal surgeons. An outcomes analysis of emergency colorectal surgery in the elderly

Abstract

The results of this study show that fitness status and micro vascular impairment impact significantly on mortality in the elderly, particularly in octogenarians. Although the outcomes observed were compatible with the literature, the six fold higher mortality rate observed in the most elderly patients identifies a group for which death prevention is best achieved with aggressive resuscitation and intensive postoperative care, rather than timing of surgery.