Effect of Anesthetic Techniques on Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Elderly Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study
1Babar Shahzad, 2Muhammad Athif Akram, 3Dr Nadir Nazir, 4Qamar Abbas, 5Isma Abbas, 6Faiza Maqsood
Submission: 28 January 2026 | Acceptance: 25 February 2026 | Publication: 30 March 2026,
1UHS, Lahore
2Associate Professor Abu Umara Medical and Dental College Lahore /Ali Fatima Hospital
3Senior Registerar Anesthesiology, Jhalawan teaching hospital Khuzdar
4PIMS Islamabad
5PIMS Islamabad
6UHS Lahore
ABSTRACT:
Background: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction serves as a common surgical complication among elderly patients which negatively impacts their surgical recovery together with their quality of life. Anesthetic technique selection stands as a vital factor for forming and intensifying the severity of POCD.
Aim: The research measured how various anesthesia procedures affect the development and intensity of cognitive disorders that affect elderly surgical patients.
Methods: A prospective study was carried out from February 2024 to January 2025 at Allied Hospital within Faisalabad. The research selected 100 patients older than 65 years who needed elective non-cardiac surgeries for enrollment. The participants were separated into two groups according to their choice of receiving GA or RA as their anesthetic procedure. Standard neuropsychological tests evaluated cognitive function both before operations and one week and three months after procedures.
Results: Recent data reveals that patients from the GA group experienced POCD at 1 week postoperatively to a much greater extent than patients from the RA group (42% vs. 20%). POCD affected 18% of patients who received general anesthesia versus 8% of people who underwent spinal anesthesia. The patient group that received regional anesthesia achieved both faster cognitive healing and showed superior overall neurocognitive results. Anesthesia duration together with anesthetic dosage level appeared to elevate the possibility of developing POCD.
Conclusion: The anesthesia method used substantially affected the postoperative cognitive abilities of older patients. The use of regional anesthesia produced reduced cases of POCD and facilitated quicker recovery than general anesthesia did. The selection of anesthetic technique represents a vital factor for perioperative planning of elderly surgical patients.
Keywords: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction, elderly patients, general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, cognitive outcomes, anesthesia technique.