The increase in life expectancy has lead to the proportional increase in the number of elderly people who need surgical treatment. The perioperatory assessment aims to identify and quantify the possible risk factors in order to prevent postoperative adverse events. The perioperatory care is particularly important in the old individuals as they are more vulnerable to postoperatory clinical complications as a result of comorbidities and poor functional status. A good clinical history, physical examination and some complementary tests can accurately predict which elderly patients are most likely to have postoperatory adverse outcomes. Although many tools to assess surgery risks are proposed, this review highlights those that are applied in the Perioperatory Assessment Program of the Division of Geriatrics, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo (HC-FMUSP).</p
