Hospitals are seeing more than 40% growth in procedures for patients over 70
Summary
The number of people over 65 grew by 57.4% in Brazil in the latest IBGE census and, according to the United Nations, is expected to double worldwide by 2050. Technologies contribute to the longevity of these older people, like robotic surgery.
In Brazil, the number of people aged 65 and over has grown by almost 60% in 12 years. According to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), today there are just over 22 million people in this age group, which represents 10.9% of the total population. This data comes from the 2022 census. Compared to 2010, there was an increase of 57.4%.
Population aging is a phenomenon observed not only in Brazil, but also in most countries. According to a 2023 United Nations (UN) report, the number of people aged 65 and older is expected to double over the next three decades worldwide.
The estimate is that, by 2050, there will be 1.6 billion people in this age group, equal to 16% of the world population.
Technology and longevity
Medical advances, easier access to healthcare and changes in lifestyle habits not only increase longevity but also the quality of life of older adults. The orthopedist at the São Marcelino Champagnat Hospital, Antonio Tomazini, is a specialist in knee surgery and performs operations with the help of a robot. He points out that technology has democratized access to more complex interventions.
“With robotic surgery we have more precision, less bleeding and more effective execution. Patients experience less pain postoperatively and require fewer medications. This is especially beneficial for older adults, as many are sensitive to medications and already use other chemical compounds,” she notes.
In late 2023, Tomazini performed a total knee arthroplasty (known as a knee replacement) on a 91-year-old patient. Anete Langaro retired suffered from advanced cartilage wear due to osteoarthritis. Three months after the procedure, the results are very satisfactory.
“The surgery was done in the morning and in the afternoon I was able to walk around the room a bit. The next day I was released from the hospital and went home. Two months have passed since the surgery and I can do all my daily things: make the bed myself, wash and hang out my clothes every now and then. I’m very well,” says Anete.
Increase in surgical interventions in the elderly
At the São Marcelino Champagnat Hospital, in Curitiba (PR), the number of surgical operations for people aged 70 or over has increased by 50.35% in one year. In 2022 there were 2,413 proceedings, while in 2023 there were 3,628.
The same occurred at Cajuru University Hospital, with exclusive service provided by SUS, where surgical interventions for this population increased by 41.8% in the analyzed period. There were 1,213 procedures in 2022, compared to 1,720 in 2023. An increase that goes hand in hand with greater longevity and minimally invasive techniques.
Among many medical procedures, neurological procedures are among those that involve a very high level of complexity, especially in elderly patients. To minimize the consequences and ensure a quicker recovery, the medical teams opted for surgery with the patient awake.
Neurosurgeon Ricardo Brito, from Cajuru University Hospital, highlights this approach in cases where there is no alternative to surgery. An example is a patient over the age of 90 with a brain aneurysm.
“Due to the risks associated with the sensitivity of the circulatory system to general anesthesia, we chose to perform a single procedure with the patient awake. This advanced procedure differentiates our service nationwide,” he explains.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
