This innovative, comprehensive book covers the key elements of perioperative management of older patients. The book's chapter structure coincides with the clinical path patients tread during their treatment, from preoperative evaluation to post-hospital care. Epidemiological aspects and aging processes are illustrated, providing keys to understanding the quick expansion of geriatric surgery and defining the clinical profile of older surgical patients in a cybernetic perspective. Preoperative evaluation and preparation for surgery, including medication reconciliation and pre-habilitation, are developed in the light of supporting decision-making about surgery in an evidence-based and patient-focused way. Intra- and postoperative management are discussed, aiming to tailor anesthetic, surgical and nursing approaches to specific patients' needs, in order to prevent both general and age-related complications. This volume also addresses issues relevant to geriatric surgery, from different organizational models to clinical risk management and systems engineering applied to hospital organization.

'[Perioperative Care of the Elderly is] a very comprehensive volume that deserves a place on the surgical ward and operating theatre coffee room. … I would strongly recommend the book for specialty trainees in anaesthesia and surgery. Those in geriatric medicine will find certain sections of use, particularly to understand the work of our anaesthetic and surgical colleagues.' Shane O'Hanlon, British Geriatrics Society (www.bgs.org.uk)

Gabriella Bettelli specializes in Anesthesia and Intensive Care and Cardiology, with a 2nd-Level University Master in Geriatrics and qualification as an Internal Quality Auditor. After dealing with anesthesia in vascular, outpatient (SIOH Prize 1993), ENT and obstetric anesthesia, she was Medical Director of the Geriatric Surgical Area and Head of the Anesthesia Department at the Italian National Research Centers of Aging, Ancona (INCRA), between 2008 and 2011. Professor Bettelli developed the first clinical path for geriatric surgery in Italy, is a fellow of numerous scientific societies, and founded the Italian National Anesthesia Society (SIAARTI) Study Group 'Perioperative Geriatric Medicine.' She is currently Educational Coordinator of the 2nd-Level Master in Perioperative Geriatric Medicine at the University of San Marino.