Post Operative Cognitive Dysfunction: A Literature Review

Abstract

Along with ages, elderly patients with comorbid who undergoing surgicalprocedures are more likely to experience cognitive disorders such as decreasedquality of life and loss of independence. This is known as postoperative cognitivedysfunction. The percentage is quite significant for old age to experience cognitivedisorders. Ages, education level, health and mental status can be a factor causingcognitive disorders. Comprehensive assessment of objective mental, social andfunctional status can increase patient preoperative. Perioperativepharmacological management can reduce the incidence of POCD. For example,minimal use of propofol in spinal anesthesia may reduce POCD in hip fracturesurgery. The use of dexmedetomidine in ventilated patients in the ICU may alsoreduce POCD. The etiology is still unclear, but there is a suspicion that the useof neurotoxic anesthetics can trigger the occurrence of POCD, but this has notbeen further proven.