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Medical Comorbidities in Geriatric Patients Undergoing Major Emergency Surgeries

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Emergency General Surgery in Geriatrics

Part of the book series: Hot Topics in Acute Care Surgery and Trauma ((HTACST))

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Abstract

Evidence-based medicine is defined as medical practice or care that emphasizes the practical application of the findings of the best available current research on the care of an individual patient. There is a lack of data on treatment of patients with multiple medical conditions and older patients are underrepresented in clinical trials. Comorbidities receive little attention in chronic disease trials. These trials should better report on comorbidities and assess the effects comorbidities have on treatment outcomes. In a world with an increasing aging population, the number of elderly patients undergoing surgery and emergent surgeries is expected to rise. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of studies analyzing emergent surgery in geriatric patients. The internist will help the surgical team in optimal preoperative preparation and postoperative care for prevention of complications, which are poorly tolerated in the geriatric population.

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Acknowledgments

I dedicate this chapter to my husband Bashkim Shehu and our son Eden who have always supported and inspired me throughout my journey.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine Residency Training, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA

    Merita Shehu

  2. Department of Medicine, General Internal Medicine, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA

    Rosemary L. Conigliaro

Authors
  1. Merita Shehu
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  2. Rosemary L. Conigliaro
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Merita Shehu .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, New York Medical College, School of Medicine and Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY, USA

    Rifat Latifi

  2. Emergency Surgery Department, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy

    Fausto Catena

  3. General, Emergency and Trauma Surgery Department, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy

    Federico Coccolini

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Shehu, M., Conigliaro, R.L. (2021). Medical Comorbidities in Geriatric Patients Undergoing Major Emergency Surgeries. In: Latifi, R., Catena, F., Coccolini, F. (eds) Emergency General Surgery in Geriatrics . Hot Topics in Acute Care Surgery and Trauma. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62215-2_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62215-2_4

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