Perioperative Management of Delirium in Geriatric Patients

Abstract

We review the current literature on predictors, pathophysiology, and prevention of delirium in surgical patients. The focus is on the role of the anesthesiologist in the prevention and management of delirium in the perioperative setting. Recent literature has examined how surgery and anesthetic management can affect the incidence of delirium. Anesthesiologists play a critical role in identifying those at risk of developing delirium and adjusting their anesthetic management and perioperative course to minimize this risk. Delirium research is evolving rapidly. Current evidence suggests that environmental interventions, pre-operative optimization, and choice of anesthetic plan, such as the use of regional anesthesia and specific medications, can reduce the incidence of delirium in surgical patients.