J Korean Geriatr Soc.  2015 Mar;19(1):9-15. 10.4235/jkgs.2015.19.1.9.

Prevalence and Predictors of Postoperative Complications in Patients Older Than 80 Years

• Kim HJ
• Park SK
• Jung WS
• Choi YS

• KMID: 1817322
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4235/jkgs.2015.19.1.9

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The number of elderly patients undergoing surgery is steadily growing. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the prevalence and predictors of postoperative complications in patients older than 80 years.
METHODS
The medical records of 532 patients above 80 years in age who underwent elective or emergent noncardiac surgery between June 2011 and May 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperative concomitant disease, operation site, anesthetic technique, and postoperative complications were analyzed.
RESULTS
A total of 81.4% of the patients had pre-existing concomitant diseases, while 22.9% had severe systemic diseases. The incidence of severe complications within the first month after operation was 4.1%, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 1.3%. Among the severe postoperative complications, respiratory and cardiovascular complications were commonly observed. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the predictors of postoperative severe complications included American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification of 3 or greater (odds ratio [OR], 5.271; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.019-13.758; p=0.001), neurosurgery (OR, 23.132; 95% CI, 2.528-211.707; p=0.005) and duration of operation (OR, 1.006; 95% CI, 1.001-1.012; p=0.027).
CONCLUSION
Proper preoperative evaluation and appropriate treatment for age-related concomitant diseases are suggested for patients older than 80 years in order to reduce postoperative complications. After operation, the respiratory and cardiovascular systems should be carefully monitored.

Keyword

Anesthesia; Elderly; Intraoperative complications; Postoperative complications

MeSH Terms

Aged
Anesthesia
Cardiovascular System
Classification
Hospital Mortality
Humans
Incidence
Intraoperative Complications
Logistic Models
Medical Records
Neurosurgery
Postoperative Complications*
Prevalence*
Retrospective Studies