Post-operative Electrolyte Imbalance: Its Incidence and Prognostic Implications for Elderly Orthopaedic Patients

摘要

In order to assess incidence and prognostic implications of post-operative electrolyte disorders for elderly patients, 180 patients aged 79.5±6.8 years, range 70–96 years, admitted to a geriatric-orthopaedic liaison service were prospectively followed from admission to discharge or death. The association of age, basic medical conditions, type of anaesthesia and perioperative complications with post-operative sodium/potassium imbalance and fatality was assessed by logistic regression analysis. The incidence of post-operative electrolyte imbalance and fatality was 15and 8.8, respectively. Electrolyte imbalance was independently predicted by spinal anaesthesia odds ratio (OR)=2, confidence limits (CL)=1.24–3.19, multiple pathology (OR=2, CL=1.1–3.58), use of cathartics (OR=1.76, CL=1.05–2.91) and intra-operative complications (OR=1.7, CL=1.03–2.88). Death was predicted by electrolyte imbalance (OR=2.32, CL=1.21–4.43), post-operative noninfective complications (OR=2.3, CL=1.09–4.84) and age greater than 79 years (OR=1.17, CL=1.06–1.3). Post-operative electrolyte imbalance is a marker of very frail medical status and a risk factor for death among elderly orth