Estimation of surgical risk in the elderly: a correlative review.

Age continues to be a risk factor for overall mortality in elective and emergency surgical procedures. Postoperative pneumonias, life-threatening cardiac complications, and malignancy-related complications account for most deaths. Heart disease, dementia, and diabetes confer an additional surgical risk for elderly patients. Careful preoperative assessment, however, can categorize elderly patients into groups that are at no additional risk. Factors other than age should be considered in estimating surgical risk in the elderly.