Comparison of early cognitive function and recovery after desflurane or sevoflurane anaesthesia in the elderly: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial

摘要

The World Population Data Sheet of the year 2007nreports that 16% of the population in the industrial statesnis older than 65 yr.n1nWith increasing life expectancy,nmore and more patients aged 65 or older will receivengeneral anaesthesia. Patients older than 60 yr are particu-nlarly affected for postoperative cognitive dysfunctionn(POCD) (26–41%).n23nAlarmingly, patients experiencingnPOCD are at an increased risk of death in the first yearnafter surgery.n3nIn conclusion, considering the increasingnnumbers of the aged, POCD is a problem of growingnimportance.