To evaluate the process from systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and probe the therapeutic strategies for elderly patients, we retrospectively studied the clinical data of SIRS and MODS in 292 elderly patients with surgical abdominal emergency. Results: On admission, the morbidity rate of SIRS was 41.1%. Afterwards the morbidity rate of MODS was 14.2%, and the mortality rate of the elderly patients with SIRS was 11.7%. After 48 hours of therapy, MODS was developed in 40.5% of the cases also with SIRS. Of all the 292 elderly patients, 19 cases (6.5%) developed MODS and 16 patients (84.2%) died. Conclusion: The outcome of the patients with surgical abdominal emergency may be improved if SIRS is early diagnosed, the cause of SIRS after 48 hours therapy is well defined and the body inflammatory response is properly regulated.