British Journal of Anaesthesia, Vol 84, Issue 2 260-262, Copyright © 2000 by Oxford University Press
CD Oliver, SA White and MW Platt
Disability and medical dependence increase with age and as the percentage
of the population over 80 yr old increases, demands on our healthcare
budget will likewise grow. Clinical decision making should always balance
the physiological state of the patient against the likely prognosis of the
pathological state. Age may influence this decision-making process in an
indirect way, as a perceived measure of physiological status, but whether
age alone may be used as criteria for the type or degree of clinical
intervention is a contentious point. In light of these issues, we present a
woman of 113 yr, admitted to hospital with a fractured shaft of femur. The
patient underwent surgery and was electively admitted to the intensive care
unit for postoperative treatment. She survived surgery and several
complications and was subsequently returned to the community where she
celebrated her 114th birthday.
ARTICLES
Surgery for a fractured femur and elective ICU admission at 113 yr of age
Department of Anaesthetics, Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Hertfordshire, UK.
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