Influencing factors of early cognitive deficits after ambulatory anesthesia

BACKGROUND: Anesthesia has an influence on early postoperative cognitive function. This is specifically relevant in ambulatory surgery. At discharge, patients must return to their normal life and manage simple tasks. Goal was to detect influencing factors of early postoperative cognitive dysfunction after ambulatory anesthesia. METHODS: With approval of the local ethics committee, 102 individuals scheduled for ambulatory anesthesia were examined with a specific test battery. Cued and uncued reaction time, divided and selective attention were tested prior to anesthesia and at the time of discharge. Differences between the two examinations and potential influencing factors including age, premedication, type and duration of anesthesia were evaluated with the Student t-test and linear regression. P < 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: In all, 86 individuals completed the study. Both reaction times were reduced after anesthesia compared to before. No differences were seen for divided and selective attention. Age influenced on the post-anesthesia reaction time while all other factors did not. CONCLUSION: Reaction time but not attention as more complex cognitive function is influenced by anesthesia. Age seems to be an important factor in early postoperative cognitive dysfunction.