TITLE:
Evaluation of Post-Surgical Complications of Lower Limb Arteriopathy in the Elderly in a Geriatric Short-Stay Unit in Senegal
AUTHORS:
Massamba Bâ, Assane Sall, Rokhaya Djajheté, Dalahata Bâ, Pascal Tiéne Babou, Mamadou Coumé
KEYWORDS:
Geriatrics, Senegal, Post-Surgery, Arteriopathies
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.11 No.11,
November
21,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: Global ageing is associated with an increase in the frequency of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which is often complex to manage postoperatively. The aim of this study was to describe postoperative complications of Lower limb arteriopathy in geriatric units. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive study from July 2019 to June 2022 of patients aged at least 65 years hospitalized in the geriatric unit of the FANN hospital for postoperative management of a Lower limb arteriopathy. Sociodemographic, clinical and evolutionary characteristics were collected and analyzed using Epi info version 7.2.6 software. Results: Forty patients met the criteria, representing 7.69% of hospital admissions. The average age was 77.5 years, with women in majority (75%). The mean time to geriatric admission after surgery was 9 ± 3 days. Poly pathologies (≥3 comorbidities) were present in 55% of patients. Cardiovascular risk factors were dominated by high blood pressure (85%), followed by mellitus diabetes (52.5%) and dyslipidemia (12.5%). Other associated comorbidities were dominated by heart disease (40%), followed by ischemic stroke (27.5%) and major cognitive impairment (27.5%). Excessive chronic arterial disease of the limbs was the predominant vascular diagnosis (80%) and amputation was the most common surgical procedure (62.5%), especially of the thigh (42.4%). Symptoms included refusal to eat (70%) and mental confusion (70%). The geriatric syndromes were mainly acute loss of functional independence (97.5%) and malnutrition (77.5%). The average number of acute diagnoses on admission was 4 ± 1, represented mainly by infectious diseases (31.5%), dominated by superinfection of the amputation stump (55%) and pulmonary infection (25%). Mortality rate was 22.5%. Conclusion: Post-surgical complications are frequent in the geriatric population, with a high mortality rate. Prior geriatric assessment would optimize postoperative results.