Surgery in the very elderly.

The very elderly who underwent major surgical procedures had longer hospital stays and higher total charges than the younger age group in the majority of DRGs studied. Higher mortality rates in the very elderly for most of the DRGs were found to be associated with emergency surgery for conditions that carry very high mortality rates when surgery is not performed. Surgery in the very elderly, then, although from 30% to 40% more costly in terms of hospital days and charges, should not be withheld on the basis of age alone. Careful assessment of risks to each individual patient should be continued and can result in acceptable mortality rates.