An Overview on Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction; Pathophysiology, Risk Factors, Prevention and Treatment

Abstract

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is an event that alarms medical personnel owing to its adverse effects, including heightened morbidity and mortality rates, prolonged recovery times, and increased lengths of hospital stay and healthcare expenditure. The populations at high risk are elderly, critical patients, or complicated cases that need prolonged surgery in which the hemodynamics are not stable. Although guidelines have been established to facilitate the early diagnosis of POCD, its prevention is recommended for good patient outcomes. A preoperative assessment is a prerequisite for patient optimization before surgery. Intraoperative, enhanced-recovery protocols have been widely adopted to promote recovery following surgery. Frequent, postoperative assessments of patients’ vital signs and cognitive functions are required for early POCD detection. Patients diagnosed with POCD need regular follow-up, and proper patient counselling is paramount.