What was the age of your oldest surgical admit?

Specialties Med-Surg

Published

Specializes in Adult M/S.

A few days ago we admitted a 96 yr old who had 2 chest tubes placed for pleural effusions. Got me wondering how old is the oldest surgical patient that you've seen?

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I had a 95 year old with an appy years ago. He was the victim of my forgetting to deflate the pressure bag to change out the art line fluids. Ooops

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I had a 95 year old with an appy years ago. He was the victim of my forgetting to deflate the pressure bag to change out the art line fluids. Ooops

You killed him?

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Specializes in ICU.
You killed him?

Not unless he drowned from being sprayed with saline.

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As an ortho nurse I routinely see late 90s and early 100s with hip fractures. Oldest one that actually had surgery that I can recall was 102. Of course, you would have thought she was only 85--very healthy, active and sharp. In fact, she went home post-op day two as opposed to ending up in SNF.

Thankfully we have finally gotten to the point where before the surgeon even sees the patient/family, the hospitalist and/or palliative care doc gets involved to have the goals/outcome discussion. I'm also seeing "full code requirement for all surgicals" to be suspended on a regular basis for these folks. It is a hard decision in these cases--assuming the pt is medically able/cleared, do you not fix them which can possibly be more painful, or do you put them through a surgical procedure in hopes of reducing their pain. Each patient has different needs and goals.

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Not the oldest ever but funny story...we had an 87-year-old who was trying to figure out what to do with her mom while she was at the hospital and subsequent rehab. At first we didn't think she was serious but turned out she was her mom's caregiver and her mom was 103. She said her mom was in great health and swore by drinking a shot of bourbon in her morning coffee every day LOL

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Thats lovely story :) the age difference means they are almost like sisters :)

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98 year old lady that got endovascular coiling for a brain aneurysm

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Specializes in PACU, pre/postoperative, ortho.

102 yoa, hip fracture; completely A&O; lived at home. She sailed thru surgery & PT; no issues.

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