Effect of general and non-general anesthesia on postoperative cognitive dysfunction

Controversy exists in the effect of general anesthesia and non-general anesthesia on postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). The authors aimed to perform this systematic review to comprehensively assess the effect of general anesthesia or non-general anesthesia on POCD. Relative studies from the online literature database were retrieved. Seven studies with 1,031 patients were included. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated. The results showed that the POCD incidence was significantly lower in the patients underwent non-general anesthesia than those underwent general anesthesia in one and three days after surgery (p<0.05). However, no remarkable difference existed between the two anesthesia in seven days and three months after surgery (p>0.05). In conclusion, when compared with the non-general anesthesia, general anesthesia increases the incidence of POCD in patients within three days after surgery, but makes no difference after seven days. It suggests that early intervention should be conducted on patients undergoing general anesthesia. (author)