| Theme | Colonoscopy for the super-elderly | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Risk management for colonoscopy in extremelyelderly patients | |
| Publish Date | 2015/01 | |
| Author | Yoshihito Nakagawa | Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine |
| Author | Ichiro Hirata | Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] | Japan is becoming a super-aged society. The need for colonoscopy for extremely elderly patients has increased in our hospital. However, extremely elderly patients experience many complications. This is especially true of the oldest individuals having cardiovascular disease and/or cerebrovascular disease. For this reason, many of the oldest were prescribed anti-coagulants. Many suffer from colorectal tumors. Many elderly patients return for follow-ups at higher rates than do other age groups, because they are at high-risk. We introduce the concept of risk management and the current state of colonoscopic treatment for the very elderly as practiced in our hospital. It is necessary to carefully conduct pre-operative evaluations for extremely elderly patients. The oldest patients often require hospitalization. Monitoring of vital signs is needed. It is necessary to carefully monitor the physical condition of elderly patients after colonoscopies. The administration of anti-cholinergic agents and sedation must also be carried out very carefully for these individuals. All forms of risk management for colonoscopy are very important for very elderly patients. Guidelines for colonoscopy for the oldest patients must be adapted to individual hospitals and clinics. |
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