Surgeons must confront ageism, which can delay vital procedures and worsen outcomes for older adults.

• Cognitive biases were highlighted in studies involving over 149,000 participants, revealing how they influence surgical decisions.
• Systemic inequities, such as transplant referral disparities, were noted across studies with over 24,000 participants, affecting resource allocation.

Taking action against age-based discrimination can enhance patient care and equity in surgery.

• Educational interventions, studied with over 20,000 participants, showed promise in reducing ageism in practice.