Facing the challenge of geriatric trauma

Facing the challenge of geriatric trauma

Hany V. Zaki

Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

Correspondence to Hany V. Zaki, MD, Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt Tel: +00201221107373; e-mail: drhany_zaki@yahoo.com

Ain-Shams Journal of Anesthesiology 2013, 6:209–211

المختصر

Geriatrics are considered a major challenge for anesthesiologists, and things become progressively worse when they present to the emergency department as trauma patients. Thus, geriatric trauma is one of the 'hot' topics these days. Although the incidence of trauma is less likely in geriatrics than in younger individuals, they are more likely to have a worse outcome from their injuries, resulting in increased healthcare costs, increased mortality, and long-term morbidity. Management of geriatric trauma needs understanding of the physiological changes that occur with the aging process, the poor relative physiologic reserve, and the associated pre-existing medical conditions. Also, the initial management of these patients as early as possible according to the international guidelines and the presence of a structured trauma team will help set a successful strategy and treatment plan for better outcomes in this unique patient population.

Keywords

elderly, geriatrics, initial management, trauma, triage

المعلومات

Ain-Shams J Anesthesiol 6:209–211

& 2013 Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Management, Faculty of Medicine, Ain-Shams University, Cairo, Egypt 1687-7934

رابط

• http://www.asja.eg.net/downloadpdf.asp?issn=1687-7934;year=2013;volume=6;issue=3;spage=209;epage=211;aulast=Zaki;type=2