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Mohamed Y. Rady, MD, PhD, FRCS(Eng),  FRCP(UK), FCCM; Daniel J. Johnson, MD

Arch Surg. 2007;142(7):691.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Zenilman's commentary¹ concisely summarized factors that contributed to improved survival of elderly patients after elective and emergencysurgery. It should also be mentioned that advances in medical technology, intensive care, and artificial organ support have permitted survival of elderly patients after extensive and often complex surgical procedures. Hospitalization of elderly patients for elective or emergent surgery can result in functional decline and limitations in activities of daily living, representing an important trigger for disability in the community.² Hospital discharge of elderly patients to care facilities or nursing homes is common because of incomplete or delayed recovery of independent function.³ Under such conditions, survival after adjusting for the decline in quality of life does not always translate into desirable outcome for elderly patients. Functional dependency in activities of daily living and transfer to care facilities are associated with an increased . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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