Geriatric Trauma and Critical Care [Paperback]

Geriatric Trauma and Critical Care provides a multidisciplinary overview of the assessment and management of the elderly patient presenting with surgical pathology. By utilizing current literature and evidence-based resources, the textbook elucidates the unique nature of caring for the elderly population. The structure of the volume provides the reader with an overview of the physiologic and psychological changes, as well as the impact on the healthcare system, associated with the aging process. Emphasis is placed on the impact of aging, pre-existing medical problems, effects of polypharmacy, advanced directives and end-of-life wishes on acute surgical problems, including trauma and surgical critical care. Special attention is given to the ethical implications of management of the aged.?The multidisciplinary contributors provide a unique point of view not common to surgical texts. The textbook is the definitive resource for practicing surgeons, emergency medicine physicians, intensivists, anesthesiologists, hospitalists, geriatricians, as well as surgical residents, nurses and therapists, all who care for elderly patients with surgical emergencies.

SECTION I: IMPACT OF AGING ON HEALTH.- 1. Changing Demographics of the American Population.- 2. Cardiovascular Physiology.- 3. Pulmonary Artery.- 4. Renal Function in the Elderly.- 5. Skin, Soft Tissue, and Wound Healing in the Elderly.- 6. Immunologic.- 7. Hematological Changes with Aging.- 8. Geriatric Psychology and the Injured Elderly.- 9. Health Care Economics and the Impact of Aging on Rising Health Care Costs.- 10. Operative Risk Stratification.- SECTION II: SURGICAL EMERGENCIES IN THE ELDERLY.- 11. Appendicitis.- 12. Biliary.- 13. Diverticulitis.- 14. Intestinal Obstruction.- 15. Intestinal Hemorrhage in the Elderly.- 16. Acute Abdomen.- 17. Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections.- 18. Acute Vascular Insufficiency in the Elderly.- 19. Thoracic Diseases in the Elderly.- SECl#'