Geriatric anesthesia

Geriatric Anesthesia is a branch of anesthesia that specializes in the anesthetic management of elderly patients. The field has gained importance as the population ages and more surgical procedures are performed on older patients.

Overview

Geriatric anesthesia deals with the anesthetic management of elderly patients, who often have multiple co-morbidities and are at a higher risk of complications during surgery. The field requires a thorough understanding of the physiological changes that occur with aging, as well as the pharmacological considerations for this population.

Physiological Changes

As people age, there are several physiological changes that can affect the response to anesthesia. These include decreased cardiac output, decreased renal and hepatic function, and changes in the nervous system. These changes can affect the distribution and elimination of anesthetic drugs, and can also increase the risk of complications during surgery.

Pharmacological Considerations

The pharmacological considerations for geriatric anesthesia include the use of lower doses of anesthetic drugs, due to the decreased renal and hepatic function. In addition, elderly patients may be on multiple medications, which can interact with the anesthetic drugs and increase the risk of complications.

Risks and Complications

Elderly patients are at a higher risk of complications during surgery, due to their multiple co-morbidities and the physiological changes that occur with aging. These complications can include postoperative delirium, postoperative cognitive dysfunction, and increased risk of mortality.

Management

The management of geriatric anesthesia involves a thorough preoperative assessment, careful intraoperative management, and close postoperative monitoring. The goal is to minimize the risk of complications and to ensure a smooth recovery.

See Also

• Anesthesia
• Geriatrics
• Postoperative delirium
• Postoperative cognitive dysfunction