Geriatric Stress Response to Surgical and Anaesthetic Trauma

twenty four patients scheduled for pelviabdominal surgery havebeen included in this study. They were subdivided into two equal groups,12 each. Group ”A” included geriatric patients (more than 65 years) andgroup ”8” comprised adult patients (20 - 40 years).Patients were all of the ASA I category. Neither of those patientshad any gross illness affecting cardiorespiratory, hepatic or renal functionnor were on any regular medications which might affect the autonomicfunction.One day before surgery, all patients were subjected to fourautonomic function tests which examined both sympathetic andparasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system.On the day of surgery, patients were premedicated with atropinesulphate 0.6 mg i.m. 30 min. before the anticipated time of surgery.