Anesthesia, Anesthetics, and Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Elderly Patients

Abstract

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) remains a major issue that worsens the prognosis of elderly surgery patients. This article reviews the current research on the effect of different anesthesia methods and commonly utilized anesthetics on the incidence of POCD in elderly patients, aiming to provide an understanding of the underlying mechanisms contributing to this condition and facilitate the development of more reasonable anesthesia protocols, ultimately reducing the incidence of POCD in elderly surgery patients.

Keywords: anesthesia; anesthetics; elderly patients; postoperative cognitive dysfunction.