Patient selection: major abdominal surgery and age >= 60 years of age
Outcome: recovery in performing activities of daily living (ADL, measured by activities of daily living at 3 months and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living at 6 months)
Predictors of impaired recovery in ADL at 6 months:
(1) serious complications associated with the surgery
(2) impaired renal function (serum creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL) prior to surgery
(3) low serum albumin (< 3 mg/dL) prior to surgery
(4) poor physical status prior to surgery
(5) depression prior to surgery
(6) impaired mental status
where:
• Whipple procedures were associated with serious complications and impaired recovery.
A person with an excellent physical status prior to surgery and with no major complications tended to have a good recovery following surgery.
