Abstract
Background : We analyzed postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing abdominal surgery based on age, whether emergency or elective surgery, and presence or absence of preoperative comorbidities to evaluate the risk of the patients exceeding 90 years of age. Methods : From April 2003 to March 2006, abdominal surgeries were performed on 1,534 patients, of whom 240 were 80-89 and 52 were 90 years or older. Results : More preoperative comorbidities were seen in patients 90 years of age or older, and postoperative complications were significantly higher than in those less than 90 years old (44% vs. 20%, P<0.05). Postoperative mortality was 9.6% in patients aged 90 years or older, significantly higher than in those less than 79 years old or 80-89 years of age, regardless of whether the surgery was emergency or elective. We noted that postoperative mortality in patients 90 years or older was significantly higher in the group of patients with both preoperative comorbidities and postoperative complications, particularly when pulmonary complications were present (P<0.05). Conclusion : The high mortality in patients 90 years or older makes careful operative indications and perioperative management essential in the presence of preoperative comorbidities and postoperative complications.
