International Journal of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine

Frailty in Older Patients undergoing Emergency Laparotomy: Results from The ELF Study

• 30,000 Emergency Laparotomies per year (England and Wales)
• Over half are performed on Older Adults (aged

≥65)

• Highest risk of mortality
• Population is ageing significantly
• Scottish database: 1672 cases over 7 months (220/month)

A relatively new medical concept

An objective measure of increased vulnerability and decreased physiological reserves, resulting from the age-associated accumulation of deficits in multiple physiological systems

• Frailty results in decreased resilience to any physiological insult and can prevent recovery or achievement of the same functional level after the insult

Author(s):

Julia McGovern, K PARMAR, J LAW, B CARTER, J HEWITT, J BOYLE, P CASEY, I MAITRA, I FARRELL, L PEARCE & S MOUG

Abstract | PDF

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