Facing the challenge of geriatric trauma

Geriatrics are considered a major challenge for anesthesiologists, and things become progressively worse when they present to the emergency department as trauma patients. Thus, geriatric trauma is one of the ‘hot’ topics these days. Although the incidence of trauma is less likely in geriatrics than in younger individuals, they are more likely to have a worse outcome from their injuries, resulting in increased healthcare costs, increased mortality, and long-term morbidity. Management of geriatric trauma needs understanding of the physiological changes that occur with the aging process, the poor relative physiologic reserve, and the associated pre-existing medical conditions. Also, the initial management of these patients as early as possible according to the international guidelines and the presence of a structured trauma team will help set a successful strategy and treatment plan for better outcomes in this unique patient population.