Dermatologic surgery in geriatric patients: psychosocial considerations and perioperative decision-making.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Dermatologic surgery, both for cutaneous malignancies and for management of the visible signs of photodamage, is frequently performed on older persons.

OBJECTIVE:
To review common psychologic and physiologic limitations among the elderly that may affect their ability to tolerate cutaneous surgery and to outline a stepwise approach for management of these conditions during the perioperative period.

METHODS:
Literature review, MEDLINE (1966-2001) search, and personal experience.

RESULTS:
Communication with patients, their families, and their physicians, management of patients' underlying medical problems, and special sensitivity to patients' cognitive and physiologic limitations can minimize perioperative risk during cutaneous surgery in the elderly.

CONCLUSION:
Given appropriate physician management, elderly patients can usually safely undergo cutaneous surgery.

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Author information

Author/s: Alam, Murad (M); Norman, Robert A (RA); Goldberg, Leonard H (LH);

Affiliation: Division of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] (Dermatol Surg), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Nov; vol 28 (issue 11) : pp 1043-50

Dates: Created 2002/12/03; Completed 2003/02/12; Revised 2005/11/16;

PMID: 12460301, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

CommentIn: Dermatol Surg. 2003 Sep;29(9):1994; author reply 1994-5. (PMID: 12930351)

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