Postoperative delirium. A window to quality improvement and safety in the care of surgical patients

作者：Eduardo Tobar A; Mario Abedrapo M; Jaime Godoy C; Carlos Romero P

来源：Revista Chilena de Cirugia, 2012, 64(3): 297-305.

• Delirium
• postoperative complications
• acute confusional state
• older people

Postoperative delirium or acute confusional state is a common complication among older subjects. Many factors influence its appearance, such as preexistent problems of the patient, medication use, pain, the perioperative anesthetic management and the intensity of the inflammatory reaction to surgical trauma. Its consequences are a longer hospital stay, higher risk of complications and a long term derangement of functional status and cognitive performance. The management of delirium is multifactorial, including the avoidance of precipitating factors, the maintenance of an adequate environment and the conscious use of neuroleptics. The prevention of delirium should be a priority that will improve health care standards.

• 出版日期2012-6