Turk J Gastroenterol
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Longer life expectancy has created an increasing demand for surgical care of the elderly. Abdominal surgical emergencies are potentially serious and life-threatening conditions for this group of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the records of elderly patients undergoing emergency surgical treatment. ⋯ Acute calculous cholecystitis and external strangulated hernias, which are generally preventable, were the most common surgical emergencies. Surgical treatment of acute mesenteric ischaemia, gastrointestinal haemorrhage and peritonitis secondary to free perforation had a worse prognosis in older patients.