To describe and compare geriatricians’ roles in geriatric oncology and onco-surgical care across Europe. Geriatric oncology practices varied widely across 34 countries: 19

Acute and chronic subdural haematomas are two common but distinct conditions, increasingly encountered by non-neurosurgical medical teams. Although each carries a significant mortality, there have been recent advances in the care of these, typically in older, frail patients. Challenges often arise from cardiovascular or thrombotic disease and with the need for antithrombotic medication. When considering when or whether to restart antithrombotic agents, patients need nuanced, individualised decisions to balance the competing risks of thrombosis against that of progressive or recurrent haemorrhage. Middle meningeal artery embolisation is increasingly used both as an adjunctive intervention and a stand-alone treatment for chronic subdural haematoma. The evidence defining its role is evolving but it appears safe and effective and will likely be increasingly used.

Background: Chronic subdural haematoma (cSDH) is one of the most common neurocranial conditions in older adults and is increasing in incidence. Conservatively managed patients are typically older, frailer, and more comorbid than surgical candidates, yet specialist geriatrician input into their management is rarely formalised. Potential for geographic inequity in hub-and-spoke neurosurgical networks within the UK compounds this challenge. We describe a service evaluation of a novel regional geriatric trauma advice service providing specialist trauma geriatrician input into cSDH management alongside the neurosurgical team, across a single UK Neurosurgical Network. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first of its kind in the UK. Prior to this service 'normal' care within our region was no routine specialist medical input. Methods: A service evaluation of all referrals received by the North Bristol National Health Service (NHS) Trust geriatric trauma team between July 2024 and March 2026 was performed by the authors. Referrals were discussed within a multidisciplinary team including geriatric trauma, interventional neuroradiology and neurosurgery. Individuals' demographic data, advice types, management enhancement, intervention outcomes and mortality were recorded and analysed descriptively. Management enhancement was defined as a definitive management decision that resulted in either an action or an active decision not to act. Results: Ninety referrals were included. Median age was 83 years (IQR 77-88) and median Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) score was 4, with 50% classified as frail (CFS 4-8). Referrals were received from five satellite NHS trusts and the community. Three-quarters (75.6%) required multiple concurrent advice types; Middle Meningeal Artery Embolisation (MMAE) suitability (93.3%) and antithrombotic management (51.1%) were the most frequent. Specialist geriatrician input enhanced management in 97.8% of cases. Forty percent of conservatively managed patients were converted to active intervention, most commonly standalone MMAE (50%). Of district general hospital patient referrals, 40.3% were conveyed to the neurosurgical centre following geriatric trauma review. Mortality was comparatively lower at multiple time points when compared to existing UK data for conservatively managed patients. Conclusions: A regional virtual geriatric trauma advice service for older adults with cSDH is feasible and is associated with enhanced management of this cohort, potentially improving access to treatment. Combining neurosurgical, neurointerventional and geriatrician expertise through a structured multi-disciplinary team (MDT) approach addresses the clinical complexity of this patient group and the potential geographic inequity of hub-and-spoke networks. Further research is needed to investigate the impact of routine geriatrician input into cSDH care.

Chronic subdural haematoma (cSDH) is a common subtype of traumatic brain injury, typically affecting older people living with frailty and multimorbidity. Until now, no published guideline has existed internationally to guide management, perhaps explaining why the care of the older cSDH patient varies between neurosurgical centres. The Improving Care in Elderly Neurosurgery Initiative guideline is the first guideline dedicated to the care of patients with cSDH across the entire patient pathway, from initial presentation through to rehabilitation and discharge after surgery. It includes specific recommendations for those patients not requiring surgery who, in the UK, are mostly managed in satellite hospitals away from the tertiary neurosurgical centre. It therefore has relevance to clinicians across the entire UK and also potentially to a broader international audience. In this guideline commentary we summarise the key points for geriatricians and those allied specialties such as acute medicine who deliver care to a large proportion of patients with cSDH. We discuss issues and limitations relating to guideline development, in particular in the rapidly evolving field of Middle Meningeal Artery Embolisation. We also comment on factors which may influence guideline implementation and future service development. Finally we call for some form of national registry in older people sustaining SDH, which may need to be supported by financial incentives to drive investment in services for this historically neglected patient group.

An older male presented with intermittent headaches, reduced mobility and transient facial weakness. CT head scan revealed acute-on-chronic subdural haematoma (cSDH), causing mass effect and midline shift. A background of progressive acute myeloid leukaemia was reported, characterised by severe thrombocytopaenia resistant to haematological therapies. The risk of neurosurgical intervention was deemed to be excessive.Right middle meningeal artery embolisation (MMAE) was pursued to arrest repeated subdural haemorrhage and prevent symptomatic neurological deterioration. The patient was discharged home the following day. Interval CT head showed almost complete resolution of the right cSDH. Symptoms improved and the patient was able to return to living independently at home.MMAE may be an effective intervention in patients with cSDH who are unsuitable candidates for surgery, and where the goal is to maintain functional independence, quality of life and prevent acute neurological decline and disability.

Chronic subdural haematoma (cSDH) is a common neurosurgical disorder in older people and projected to become the most common cranial neurosurgical pathology by 2030. Incidence of cSDH has risen in recent years as a consequence of improved access to brain imaging, and the increased prescribing of antithrombotic medication for both primary and secondary prevention of vascular disease. Chronic SDH typically presents with an insidious onset of broad-ranging symptoms including impaired cognition, gait, balance and mobility, often with headache. It progresses to more fulminant symptoms of hemiplegia, dysphasia and eventually coma. Although the established standard of care for clearly symptomatic cSDH is burr hole trephination, Middle Meningeal Artery Embolisation (MMAE) has emerged as a minimally invasive treatment option for some patients with cSDH. This is a rapidly evolving field: recently published randomised control trials have provided an evidence-base supporting the use of MMAE not only as an adjunct to burr hole trephination, but also in patients in whom trephination is contraindicated, or in patients with mild symptomatology who are not considered appropriate for immediate burr hole trephination. This article provides practical, real-world guidance on current best practice based on our experience and the published evidence available to date. We use case studies and treatment algorithms from the UK's highest volume MMAE centre to illustrate collaborative care pathways for patients with cSDH between neurosurgery, interventional neuroradiology and trauma geriatricians.

To describe the core elements of the perioperative medicine for older people undergoing surgery (POPS) model of care. A logic model that described the core elements of the POPS model of care across multiple health services was produced. In the setting of this study, POPS was found to be an adaptable model of care that can be flexibly implemented according to local context, if it remains true to the principles of comprehensive geriatric assessment and optimisation and is delivered by staff with expert skills and attitudes. Health services considering delivering the POPS model of care can use this logic model to aid implementation by understanding the core elements of POPS. Further research is required to test the logic model in other clinical and organisational contexts. Hospital surgical services that utilise the approach of the perioperative medicine for older people undergoing surgery (POPS) model of care improve outcomes for older people contemplating and undergoing surgery. Complex models of care like POPS may be difficult to implement without understanding the elements that comprise that model of care. Logic models can be used to aid implementation by visually depicting theoretical relationships between the elements of the model of care. Our objective was to understand the core elements of the POPS model of care at health services other than where it was first developed. A qualitative case study at three contextually different health services in England with POPS models of care of varying implementation maturity was undertaken. We conducted semi-structured interviews with clinicians and managers involved in POPS (n = 56). The interviews were analysed using inductive and deductive methods. We developed a logic model with seven domains and themes that described the core elements of the POPS model of care compared and contrasted across the three health services. We found POPS could be adapted to ‘fit’ the local contexts of our study and still achieve its desired outcomes if it remained true to the principles of comprehensive geriatric assessment and optimisation and was delivered by staff with expert skills and attitudes. Our logic model provides potentially generalisable information about the core elements of the POPS service in three health services. This information can be used to aid the implementation of the POPS model of care in healthcare settings similar to our study. Further research may be required to test the logic model in other healthcare contexts.

IntroductionA chronic subdural haematoma (cSDH) is an encapsulated collection of fluid and blood degradation products in the subdural space. It is increasingly common, affecting older people and those living with frailty. Currently, no guidance exists to define optimal care from onset of symptoms through to recovery. This paper presents the first consensus-built recommendations for best practice in the care of cSDH, co-designed to support each stage of the patient pathway.MethodsGuideline development was led by a multidisciplinary Steering Committee with representation from diverse clinical groups, professional associations, patients, and carers. Literature searching to identify relevant evidence was guided by core clinical questions formulated through facilitated discussion with specially convened working groups. A modified Delphi exercise was undertaken to build consensus on draft statements for inclusion in the guideline using survey methodology and an in-person meeting. The proposed guideline was subsequently endorsed by the Society for British Neurological Surgeons, Neuroanaesthesia and Critical Care Society, Association of Anaesthetists, British Association of Neuroscience Nurses, British Geriatric Society, and Centre for Perioperative Care.ResultsWe identified that high quality evidence was generally lacking in the literature, although randomised controlled trial (RCT) data were available to inform specific recommendations on aspects of surgical technique and use of corticosteroids. The final guideline represents the outcome of synthesising available evidence, consensus-built expert opinion and patient involvement. The guideline comprises 67 recommendations across eight major themes, covering: presentation and diagnosis, neurosurgical triage and shared decision-making, non-operative management, perioperative management (including anticoagulation), timing of surgery, intraoperative and postoperative care, rehabilitation and recovery.ConclusionsWe present the first multidisciplinary guideline for the care of patients with cSDH. The recommendations reflect a paradigm shift in the care of cSDH, recognising and formalising the need for multidisciplinary and collaborative clinical management, communication and decision-making delivered effectively across secondary and tertiary care.

Background The international scale and spread of evidence-based perioperative medicine for older people undergoing surgery (POPS) services has not yet been fully realised. Implementation science provides a structured approach to understanding factors that act as barriers and facilitators to the implementation of POPS services. In this study, we aimed to identify factors that influence the implementation of POPS services in the UK. Methods A qualitative case study at three UK health services was undertaken. The health services differed across contextual factors (population, workforce, size) and stages of POPS service implementation maturity. Semi-structured interviews with purposively sampled clinicians (perioperative medical, nursing, allied health, and pharmacy) and managers (n = 56) were conducted. Data were inductively coded, then thematically analysed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Results Fourteen factors across all five CFIR domains were relevant to the implementation of POPS services. Key shared facilitators included stakeholders understanding the rationale of the POPS service, with support from their networks, POPS champions, and POPS clinical leads. We found substantial variation and flexibility in the way that health services responded to these shared facilitators and this was relevant to the implementation of POPS services. Conclusions Health services planning to implement a POPS service should use health service-specific strategies to respond flexibly to local factors that are acting as barriers or facilitators to implementation. To support implementation of a POPS service, we recommend health services prioritise understanding local networks, identifying POPS champions, and ensuring that stakeholders understand the rationale for the POPS service. Our study also provides a structure for future research to understand the factors associated with ‘unsuccessful’ implementation of a POPS service, which can inform ongoing efforts to implement evidence-based perioperative models of care for older people.

Subdural haematoma (SDH) is a common injury sustained by older people living with frailty and multimorbidity, and typically following falls from a standing height. Anticoagulant and antiplatelet use are commonly indicated in older people with SDH, but few data inform decision-making surrounding these agents in the context of intracranial bleeding. Opposing risks of rebleeding and thrombosis must therefore be weighed judiciously. Decision-making can be complex and requires detailed awareness of the epidemiology to ensure the safest course of action is selected for each patient. Outcomes of surgical decompression in acute SDH are very poor in older people. However, burr hole drainage can be safe and effective in older adults with symptomatic chronic SDH (cSDH). Such patients need careful assessment to ensure symptoms arise from cSDH and not from coexisting medical pathology. Furthermore, the emerging treatment of middle meningeal artery embolisation offers a well-tolerated, minimally invasive intervention which may reduce the risks of rebleeding in older adults. Nonetheless, UK SDH management is heterogenous, and no accepted UK or European guidelines exist at present. Further randomised trial evidence is required to move away from clinical practice based on historic observational data.

In the context of an ageing population, the demographic sands of trauma are shifting. Increasingly, trauma units are serving older adults who have sustained injuries in low-energy falls from a standing height. Older age is commonly associated with changes in physiology, as well as an increased prevalence of frailty and multimorbidity, including cardiac, renal and liver disease. These factors can complicate the safe and effective administration of analgesia in the older trauma patient. Trauma services therefore need to adapt to meet this demographic shift and ensure that trauma clinicians are sufficiently skilled in treating pain in complex older people. This article is dedicated to the management of acute trauma pain in older adults. It aims to highlight the notable clinical challenges of managing older trauma patients compared with their younger counterparts. It offers an overview of the evidence and practical opinion on the merits and drawbacks of commonly used analgesics, as well as more novel and emerging analgesic adjuncts. A search of Medline (Ovid, from inception to 7 November 2022) was conducted by a medical librarian to identify relevant articles using keyword and subject heading terms for trauma, pain, older adults and analgesics. Results were limited to articles published in the last 10 years and English language. Relevant articles’ references were hand-screened to identify other relevant articles. There is paucity of dedicated high-quality evidence to guide management of trauma-related pain in older adults. Ageing-related changes in physiology, the accumulation of multimorbidity, frailty and the risk of inducing delirium secondary to analgesic medication present a suite of challenges in the older trauma patient. An important nuance of treating pain in older trauma patients is the challenge of balancing iatrogenic adverse effects of analgesia against the harms of undertreated pain, the complications and consequences of which include immobility, pneumonia, sarcopenia, pressure ulcers, long-term functional decline, increased long-term care needs and mortality. In this article, the role of non-opioid agents including short-course non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is discussed. Opioid selection and dosing are reviewed for older adults suffering from acute trauma pain in the context of kidney and liver disease. The evidence base and limitations of other adjuncts such as topical and intravenous lidocaine, ketamine and regional anaesthesia in acute geriatric trauma are discussed.

Introduction: A common neurosurgical condition, chronic subdural haematoma (cSDH) typically affects older people with other underlying health conditions. The care of this potentially vulnerable cohort is often, however, fragmented and suboptimal. In other complex conditions, multidisciplinary guidelines have transformed patient experience and outcomes, but no such framework exists for cSDH. This paper outlines a protocol to develop the first comprehensive multidisciplinary guideline from diagnosis to long-term recovery with cSDH. Methods: The project will be guided by a steering group of key stakeholders and professional organisations and will feature patient and public involvement. Multidisciplinary thematic working groups will examine key aspects of care to formulate appropriate, patient-centered research questions, targeted with evidence review using the GRADE framework. The working groups will then formulate draft clinical recommendations to be used in a modified Delphi process to build consensus on guideline contents. Conclusions: We present a protocol for the development of a multidisciplinary guideline to inform the care of patients with a cSDH, developed by cross-disciplinary working groups and arrived at through a consensus-building process, including a modified online Delphi.

Background: Topical lidocaine patches, applied over rib fractures, have been suggested as a non-invasive method of local anaesthetic delivery to improve respiratory function, reduce opioid consumption and consequently reduce pulmonary complications. Older patients may gain most benefit from improved analgesic regimens yet lidocaine patches are untested as an early intervention in the Emergency Department (ED). The aim of this trial is to investigate uncertainties around trial design and conduct, to establish whether a definitive randomised trial of topical lidocaine patches in older patients with rib fractures is feasible. Methods: RELIEF is an open label, multicentre, parallel group, individually randomised, feasibility randomised controlled trial with economic scoping and nested qualitative study. Patients aged ≥ 65 years presenting to the ED with traumatic rib fracture(s) requiring admission will be randomised 1:1 to lidocaine patches (intervention), in addition to standard clinical management, or standard clinical management alone. Lidocaine patches will be applied immediately after diagnosis in ED and continued daily for 72 hours or until discharge. Feasibility outcomes will focus on recruitment, adherence and follow-up data with a total sample size of 100. Clinical outcomes, such as 30-day pulmonary complications, and resource use will be collected to understand feasibility of data collection. Qualitative interviews will explore details of the trial design, trial acceptability and recruitment processes. An evaluation of the feasibility of measuring health economics outcomes data will be completed. Discussion: Interventions to improve outcomes in elderly patients with rib fractures are urgently required. This feasibility trial will test a novel early intervention which has the potential of fulfilling this unmet need. The Randomised Evaluation of early topical Lidocaine patches In Elderly patients admitted to hospital with rib Fractures (RELIEF) feasibility trial will determine whether a definitive trial is feasible. ISRCTN Registration: ISRCTN14813929 (22/04/2021).

Background Older people are at the greatest risk of poor outcomes after serious injury. Evidence is limited for the benefit of assessment by a geriatrician in trauma care. We aimed to determine the effect of geriatrician assessment on clinical outcomes for older people admitted to hospital with serious injury. Methods In this multicentre observational study (FiTR 2), we extracted prospectively collected data on older people (aged =65 years) admitted to the 23 major trauma centres in England over a 2 center dot 5 year period from the Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN) database. We examined the effect of a geriatrician assessment within 72 h of admission on the primary outcome of inpatient mortality in older people admitted to hospital with serious injury, with patients censored at discharge. We analysed data using a multi-level Cox regression model and estimated adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs). Findings Between March 31, 2019, and Oct 31, 2021, 193 156 patients had records held by TARN, of whom 35 490 were included in these analyses. Median age was 81 center dot 4 years (IQR 74 center dot 1-87 center dot 6), 19 468 (54 center dot 9%) were female, and 16 022 (45 center dot 1%) were male. 28 208 (79 center dot 5%) patients had experienced a fall from less than 2 m. 16 504 (46 center dot 5%) people received a geriatrician assessment. 4419 (12 center dot 5%) patients died during hospital stay, with a median time from admission to death of 6 days (IQR 2-14). Of those who died, 1660 (37 center dot 6%) had received a geriatrician assessment and 2759 (62 center dot 4%) had not (aHR 0 center dot 43 [95% CI 0 center dot 40-0 center dot 46]; p<0 center dot 0001). Interpretation Geriatrician assessment was associated with a reduced risk of death for seriously injured older people. These data support routine provision of geriatrician assessment in trauma care. Future research should explore the key components of a geriatrician assessment paired with a health economic evaluation.

Background Older people are the largest group admitted to hospital with serious injuries. Many older people are living with frailty, a risk factor for poor recovery. We aimed to examine the effect of preinjury frailty on outcomes. Methods In this multicentre observational study (FiTR 1), we extracted prospectively collected data from all 23 adult major trauma centres in England on older people (aged =65 years) admitted with serious injuries over a 2 center dot 5 year period from the Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN) database. Geriatricians assessed the preinjury Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), a 9-point scale of fitness and frailty, with a score of 1 indicating a patient is very fit and a score of 9 indicating they are terminally ill. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality, with patients censored at hospital discharge. We used a multi-level Cox regression model fitted with adjusted hazards ratios (aHRs) to assess the association between CFS and mortality, with CFS scores being grouped as follows: a score of 1-2 indicated patients were fit; a score of 3 indicated patients were managing well; and a score of 4-8 indicated patients were living with frailty (4 being very mild, 5 being mild, 6 being moderate, and 7-8 being severe). Findings Between March 31, 2019, and Oct 31, 2021, 193 156 patients had records were held by TARN, of whom 16 504 had eligible records. Median age was 81 center dot 9 years (IQR 74 center dot 7-88 center dot 0), 9200 (55 center dot 7%) were women, and 7304 (44 center dot 3%) were men. Of 16 438 patients with a CFS score of 1-8, 11 114 (67 center dot 6%) were living with frailty (CFS of 4-8). 1660 (10 center dot 1%) patients died during their hospital stay, with a median time from admission to death of 9 days (IQR 4-18). Compared in patients with a CFS score of 1-2, risk of inpatient death was increased in those managing well (CFS score of 3; aHR 1 center dot 82 [95% CI 1 center dot 39-2 center dot 40]), living with very mild frailty (CFS score of 4: 1 center dot 99 [1 center dot 51-2 center dot 62]), living with mild frailty (CFS score of 5: 2 center dot 61 [1 center dot 99-3 center dot 43]), living with moderate frailty (CFS score of 6: 2 center dot 97 [2 center dot 26-3 center dot 90]), and living with severe frailty (CFS score of 7-8: 4 center dot 03 [3 center dot 04-5 center dot 34]). Interpretation Our findings support inclusion of the CFS in trauma pathways to aid patient management. Additionally, people who exercise regularly (CFS of 1-2) have better outcomes than those with lower activity levels (CFS of =3), supporting exercise as an intervention to improve trauma outcomes.

Introduction: Patients aged >= 65 years currently account for approximately 55% of all emergent operations. However, these patients account for 75% of post-operative mortality. Older age has long been associated with adverse outcomes from emergency surgery. However, old age is a heterogenous state. Recent studies have indicated that frailty may more accurately reflect true biological age and perioperative risk than chronological age alone in patients undergoing elective surgery. Few studies have evaluated the impact of frailty on post-operative outcomes in this setting. Methods: A systematic, electronic search for relevant publications was performed in November 2019 using Pubmed and Embase from 2009 to 2019. The latest search for articles was performed on February 16th, 2020. Articles were excluded if frailty was not measured using a frailty tool, or if patients did not undergo emergency general surgery (EGS). Results: The prevalence of frailty amongst patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery was 30.8%. The all-cause mortality rate was 15.68%. The mortality rate amongst the frail undergoing EGS was 24.7%. Frailty was associated with an increased mortality rate compared with the non-frail (odds ratio (OR) 4.3, 95% CI 2.25-8.19%, p < 0.05, I2 = 80%). Conclusions: There is strong evidence to suggest that frailty in the older population predicts post-operative mortality, complications, prolonged length of stay and the loss of inde-pendence. Collaborative working with medicine for the elderly physicians to target modifiable aspects of the frailty syndrome in the perioperative pathway may improve outcomes. Frailty scoring should be integrated into acute surgical assessment practice to aid decision-making and development of novel postoperative strategies. (c) 2021 Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (Scottish charity number SC005317) and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background the Geriatric Perioperative Care clinic at North Bristol NHS Trust was suspended in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. A virtual clinic was piloted to deliver preoperative health optimisation and shared decision-making for patients undergoing critical elective surgery. No literature existed on virtual preoperative clinics for older people to support the development. Objective this healthcare improvement study describes the setup and delivery of the virtual clinic as its primary aim. Secondary aims included: assessing older people’s access to technology and their digital literacy for virtual consultation; to describe barriers and facilitators for consultations, as well as evaluation of patient and clinician satisfaction with the consultations' mode of delivery and outcomes. Methods a mixed methods healthcare improvement study was undertaken through plan-do-study-act cycles, semi-structure interviews, and quantitative service benchmarking. Results the pilot evaluated 67 preoperative consultations (43.3% video, 56.7% telephone, mean age 75) with a mix of surgical pathology (vascular 88.1%, colorectal 10.4%, urological 1.5%). Patient feedback demonstrated improved understanding of conditions (90.6%), and adequate opportunity to express opinions and questions (96.2%). Clinicians preferred video consultations (adequate to deliver services: 89.7% video; 68.4% telephone). The greatest barriers to engagement, none of which were exclusions to participation, included cognitive impairment, sensory impairment, or needing technical assistance setting up video consultations (52.2%). Conclusions delivering a virtual preoperative medical optimisation and shared decision clinic for older people is feasible. This study will aid other units in developing their own virtual preoperative clinics. Future work should evaluate perioperative outcomes of delivering a face-to-face versus virtual clinic.

Spinal fractures are the third most common traumatic injury in older people, of which cervical spine injuries make up around 15%. They are predominantly seen in people living with frailty who fall from standing height. Spinal fractures in this patient group are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality (over 40% at 1 year). For many older people who survive, their injuries will be life changing. Practice between EDs varies significantly, with no universally accepted guidelines on either assessment, investigation or management specific to older people experiencing trauma. This expert practice review examines the current evidence and emergency management options in this patient group through clinical scenarios, with the aim of providing a more unified approach to management.