Complications of Surgical Geriatrics Hospitalized in the Orinoco Region

Overview

The life expectancy of the Colombian population is increasing. Older patients are frequently hospitalized and treated in surgical wards, and are treated as the general surgical population. However, geriatric patients are frequently found with additional comorbidities, besides the primary surgical diagnosis. Some diseases, like hip fractures, diverticulitis, and cancer, are common in this age range. The preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative period requires a special care and planning to avoid complications related to the physical status, medications, and comorbidities. Studies about the geriatric surgical population are limited in the Orinoco region. The implementation of a comprehensive geriatric assesment in surgical services requires follow-up of outcomes.

Introduction: The increase in patients' life expectancy increases the likelihood that older adults will undergo surgical procedures. This underscores the need for comprehensive care that considers the special needs of this age group, delivered by a collaborative team, to achieve improved outcomes and provide quality care. The aim of the study is to compare the factors associated with adverse outcomes in geriatric patients undergoing surgical procedures. Methodology: An observational, retrospective cohort study will be conducted at the Hospital Departamental de Villavicencio and the Clinica Primavera between August 2026 and July 2027. Discharged records of older adult patients (65 years and older) admitted to surgical specialties, both emergency and elective, will be included. Patients with the codes S720, S324, S730, S731, S770, S772, S797, and S798 in the tenth edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD 10th) will be included. Patients with the codes K472, K573, K574, K758, and K579 will also be included. These codes were slected as hip fractures and colonic diverticular disease are typical in older adults. The outcomes to be studied will be mortality, length of hospital stay, need for ICU admissions, and ICU length of stay. Study variables will include demographic data, surgical diagnosis, surgical specialty, comorbidities, and complications, as defined by the Clavien-Dindo classification. A comparison of the cohort before and after the implementation of a surgical and geriatric program will be performed.