Surgical and anesthetic techniques have evolved to allow a growing number of older adults to
undergo surgery and current estimates are that 50% of Americans over the age of 65 years old
will have an operation. However as the knowledge regarding perioperative care of the elderly
surgical patient grows so do the questions. In this edition each chapter includes a section
entitled ¿Gaps in Our Knowledge ¿ meant to highlight areas in which research is needed as well
as hopefully inspire readers to begin solving some of these questions themselves. Building upon
the strong foundation of the first two editions Geriatric Anesthesiology 3rd edition also
assembles the most up-to-date information in geriatric anesthesia and provides
anesthesiologists with important new developments.Topics covered include several new chapters
that reflect the evolution of multidisciplinary geriatric care throughout the perioperative
continuum as well as the growing body of literature related to prehabilitation. In addition
discussion of the surgeon¿s perspective and geriatrician¿s perspective on surgery in the
geriatric population is covered as well as the systematic physiologic changes associated with
aging and the pharmacologic considerations for the geriatric patient undergoing procedures.
Finally the last section discusses postoperative care specific to the geriatric population
including acute pain management ICU management recent evidence and up-to-date practice
regarding delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction and palliative care.
