Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Genel Cerrahi Anabilim Dalı- ISPARTA
Hacettepe Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Genel Cerrahi Anabilim Dalı- ANKARA
Kırıkkale Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Genel Cerrahi Anabilim Dalı-KIRIKKALE The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting the outcome of geriatric patients presenting with acute abdomen. Eighty patients who underwent surgery with the diagnosis of acute abdomen were analyzed retrospectively. The effects of age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) class, preexisting disease, admission time after the onset of the symptoms, follow-up interval before the operation on morbidity, mortality and length of hospital stay were evaluated. Male/female ratio was 1.3, mean age was 72.4. Main causes were biliary system disease (38.8%), intestinal obstruction (31.3%), peptic ulcer perforation (12.5%) and acute appendicitis (8.7%). Median ASA class was 3 and 76.3% of the patients had at least one preexisting disease. ASA class was significantly effective on mortality and complication rate. Shock at the admission, malignity, male sex, mechanical ventilation and transfusion were the factors that have statistically significant effect on mortality. 58.8% of the patients had complications. Complications were significantly related to mortality, prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay and hospital stay. Male sex, ASA class, malign diseases, peptic ulcer perforation, colonic obstruction, shock, mechanical ventilation and blood transfusion were the factors affecting mortality in the elderly. Preexisting diseases other than malignity, period between the onset of symptoms and admission, follow-up time and operation time did not influence mortality. Complications and ASA classification were associated with a prolonged ICU and hospital stay. Keywords : Elderly, Acute abdomen, Emergency surgery, ASA classification