L'urgence chirurgicale digestive chez le sujet âgé

The management of elderly patients presenting at the emergency department with abdominal pain has particularities related to the difficulty to establish a diagnostic, linked to a sometimes impaired communication and to unusual clinical and biological features that might result in delaying management. Early and pertinent imaging may reduce this delay. Surgical procedures in the elderly do not differ from those in younger patients, although with different morbidity. Analysing comorbidities and frailties will help to make a therapeutic decision according to the diagnostic and the patient's will and condition. This decision, involving at least surgeons, anaesthesiologists and geriatricians, is as pre- as postoperative, aiming to optimise patient's rehabilitation and to offer good and adapted care, concerned about human, social and financial aspect.