Postoperative delirium: A preventable complication in the elderly surgical patient

Submitted: May 16, 2017
Accepted: May 16, 2017
Published: July 18, 2017
Abstract Views: 2553
PDF: 1403
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Postoperative delirium (POD) is an acute organic cerebral disturbance of consciousness and attention in combination with additional cognitive symptoms. It usually develops shortly after surgery and lasts for some hours up to some days. It worsens clinical outcomes, prolongs the hospital stay and leads to negative trajectories of cognitive, emotional and functional outcomes up to month if not years after surgery. There are several known predisposing and precipitating factors. Several of them are influenceable. Offering optimal and safe care for an elderly surgery patient requires a team based approach. Strategies for reducing POD incidence include early detection of risk factors, adaptation of surgical and anaesthesiologic techniques, avoiding certain drugs, optimisation of haemostasis, continuously monitoring of the patients’ cognitive status as well as early mobilization and careful management of eventual early signs of POD. If POD is prevented, it’s negative trajectories may be likewise anticipated. 

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Bettelli, Gabriella, and Bruno Neuner. 2017. “Postoperative Delirium: A Preventable Complication in the Elderly Surgical Patient”. Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease 87 (2). https://doi.org/10.4081/monaldi.2017.842.