Anaesthesia in the Elderly

Abstract

There is no ideal anaesthetic for all elderly patients.

Meticulous control of physiological parameters perioperatively is more important than anaesthetic technique.

A thorough understanding of the physiological changes with age and pharmacology helps to optimise the anaesthetic.

Thorough pre operative assessment with correction of parameters, planning and good monitoring are essential.

Chronological age is much less important an independent risk factor than emergency surgery and co- existing disease.

A team of senior anaesthetists, surgeons and physicians need to be closely involved in the care of elderly patients who have poor physical status and high operative risk.

Each anaesthetic department should have a lead clinician assigned to the elderly to provide inter disciplinary working.