Hadzic's Regional Anesthesia > Part VIII. Regional Anesthesia in Patients with Special Considerations > Chapter 56. Regional Anesthesia in the Elderly Bernadette Veering, MD, PhD

Introduction

"In many developed countries, the proportion of the population that is older is growing. The oldest old (80 years or older) are the fastest growing segment of the older population. Currently, this group accounts for 11% of those 60 years of age and older. By the year 2030, 17% of the population in the United States will be older than 65 years.¹ Improvements in surgical techniques, anesthesia, and intensive care units make surgical interventions in older and sicker patients possible. It is estimated that over half of the population older than 65 years will require surgical intervention at least once during the remainder of their lives² (Figure 56–1). Consequently, elderly patients are becoming an even larger part of anesthetic practice. Regional anesthesia is frequently used in elderly patients, especially during orthopedic surgery, genitourologic and gynecologic procedures, and hernia repair. Although age can no longer be considered as a contraindication to anesthesia and surgery, anesthesia-related morbidity and mortality remain higher among elderly than among young adult surgical patients...."