Surgical complications and costs among octogenarians Cirugía en mayores de 80 años: Evolución clínica y costos asociados

Abstract

Background: Old age is a negative prognostic factor among patients subjected to surgical procedures. Aim: To assess the clinical profile and hospital stay costs among patients aged 80 years or more in a surgical department. Material and Methods: Retrospective review of medical records of 115 surgical patients aged 84 ± 4 years (67% males), hospitalized during 2007. Clinical presentation, surgical treatment, functional status on admission and discharge and hospitalization costs, was analyzed. Results: Ninety percent of patients had associated diseases and 83% had previous surgical procedures. On admission, 88% of patients had a normal functional status. Hernia was the most common surgical diagnosis in 17%. Thirty percent required emergency surgery. Mean hospital stay was 11 days, 47% required admission to the critical patients unit, 20% had complications, 8% required a second operation and two patients died. At discharge, 27% had a functional impairment. Hospitalization costs were 3.8 t