Our experience with emergency surgery in geriatric patients.

Abstract

Aim: A significant portion of admissions to emergency departments are made up of elderly patients. We aim to determine the causes of acute abdomen in geriatric patients requiring emergency surgery, evaluate postoperative intensive care needs and mortality rates, and raise awareness about this patient group. Method: Patient files of individuals aged 65 and older who were consulted in our hospital's emergency department and subsequently admitted to the general surgery service between 2021 and 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Data including age, gender, underlying diseases, additional illnesses, duration of stay in the intensive care unit, cause of mortality, and length of hospital stay were extracted from the patient's records. The collected data were analyzed statistically for comparisons. Results: Data of 27 patients were accessed.these patients, 40.7% (n=11) were female, and 59.3% (n=16) were male. The average age of the patients was determined to be 74.81 years (ranging from 65 to 88). Thirteen patients, comprising 5 males and 8 females, were monitored in the intensive care unit. 6 patients experienced mortality, and all of them were those admitted to the intensive care unit. When comparing mortality rates based on gender, it was 18.8% in male patients and 27.3% in female patients. All 27 patients had at least one comorbidity . Patients who experienced mortality had at least two comorbidities. Twelve patients did not undergo surgery. Conclisions: In the emergency assessment of geriatric patients, a prompt diagnosis should be made, considering comorbidities after diagnosis, and follow-up and treatments should be adjusted multidisciplinary for patients requiring intensive care or those to be monitored in regular rooms.