["Emergency anesthesia" in geriatric patients].

BACKGROUND: The share of elderly patients undergoing emergency surgery is constantly increasing. Their postoperative outcome remains poor, even if surgery itself is survived in the short or medium term. OBJECTIVES: Important aspects of anesthesiologic care for older emergency patients based upon recent literature and guideline recommendations are presented. METHODS: Selective review of the literature, considering national and international guidelines, meta-analysis and Cochrane reviews. CONCLUSION: Anesthesiologic care can significantly influence the perioperative outcome of elderly emergency surgery patients. In this context, emergency anesthesiology exceeds mere anesthesia itself and applies to the overall perioperative management.