I love to ask my students about Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). It is very common in elderly patients. Interestingly, POCD is not associated with any particular technique of giving Anaesthesia . The occurrence of POCD is associated with increased mortality especially in the first year post operative period. In these patients, there would be constant decline in cognitive function observed for a short period after surgery.
Cognitive disorders include disorientation in space and time, language difficulties, impairment of memory. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common complication of the surgical experience and is common in the elderly and patients with pre-existing neurocognitive disorders. There are no good treatment for POCD.
