The most common elective procedure that older patients are considering is a major joint surgery, according to a Jan. 30 study published in the JAMA Network.
The study surveyed U.S. adults aged 50 to 80 years through the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging. The survey was answered by 2,110 recipients, 676 of whom were considering elective surgery in the next five years.
The five most common elective surgical procedures considered by older patients and the weighted percentage of patients considering the surgery:
1. Major joint surgery, including hip and knee replacements: 18.1%
2. Eye surgery, including cataract procedures: 12.4%
3. Abdominal surgery, including hernia repair, gallbladder removal and hysterectomy: 10.2%
4. Cosmetic surgery: 8.8%
5. Foot or leg surgery: 6.8%