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Abstract

Elderly people comprises a growing proportion of population. They have higher prevalence of co-morbidities which include heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, renal dysfunction which require careful evaluation during pre-anesthetic checkup. They have decreased adrenergic responses to stressor events and have poor compensatory responses to hypovolemia. They are also prone to post-operative pulmonary complications owing to poor protective reflexes and impaired chest wall compliance. The immune system is impaired, making them susceptible to surgical site infections. They are at increased risk of post-operative delirium and confusion. They require less dosage of opioid analgesics, sedatives, local anesthetic dosages, to achieve a desired effect. This brief review focusses on physiological changes of ageing, its perioperative implications and anesthesia management.

Keywords: Anesthesia management; Ageing