What is the main determinant of surgical risk in elderly patients?

The main determinant of surgical risk in elderly patients is primarily their functional status. Functional status encompasses a variety of factors that reflect a patient's overall ability to perform daily activities and manage their health. This includes physical capabilities such as mobility, strength, and endurance, as well as cognitive function and the ability to adhere to medical advice.

Elderly patients with good functional status, for instance, can often tolerate more extensive surgeries and recover better postoperatively compared to those with compromised functional abilities. Assessing functional status provides valuable insights into how well a patient may cope with the stress of surgery and the demands of recovery.

While age itself is a consideration, it is not the sole predictor of surgical risk; two patients of the same age can have vastly different surgery outcomes based on their functional status. Social determinants and previous surgeries can play roles in overall health and recovery, but they do not directly reflect the body's immediate capacity to handle surgical procedures as effectively as functional status does.