STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION OF POSTOPERATIVE DELIRIUM - ANESTHESIOLOGY ASPECTS

  • Vesna Jovanovic University Clinical Center of Serbia, Center for anesthesiology and resuscitation, Belgrade, Serbia; University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Natasa Petrovic University Clinical Center of Serbia, Center for anesthesiology and resuscitation, Belgrade, Serbia; University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Jelena Jovicic University Clinical Center of Serbia, Center for anesthesiology and resuscitation, Belgrade, Serbia; University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Milos Lazic University Clinical Center of Serbia, Center for anesthesiology and resuscitation, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Sandra Sipetic Grujicic University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Nebojsa Ladjevic University Clinical Center of Serbia, Center for anesthesiology and resuscitation, Belgrade, Serbia; University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/medi0-62162
Keywords: postoperative delirium, postoperative cognitive dysfunction, risk factors, prevention

Abstract


The occurrence of postoperative delirium is a significant health problem in critically ill elderly patients. The incidence of postoperative delirium varies in different studies and ranges from 10 to 70%. A higher incidence was noted among the elderly population, as well as after major surgical procedures such as vascular, cardiac, and hip fracture operations. This syndrome is associated with many adverse outcomes that can negatively affect patient hospitalization, prolong mechanical ventilation, increase mortality, and increase treatment costs. Affected patients are at increased risk of readmission and have a low quality of life. The best strategy for reducing the harmful consequences of postoperative delirium is its prevention. It has been shown that simple perioperative interventions can significantly reduce the incidence and severity of this syndrome. These are, above all, an assessment of cognitive function before surgery, avoidance of benzodiazepines, intraoperative monitoring of anesthetic depth, adequate control of postoperative pain, and maintenance of normotension and normothermia.

Published
2025/12/30
Issue
Online First
Section
Review Article