title: Influence of the type of anaesthesia on post-operative subjective physical well-being and mental function in elderly patients.
abstract: Standardized behavioural observations were used to establish the influence of the type of anaesthesia on the mental function and the subjective physical well-being in 60 patients, all men, following urological surgery. The patients were randomized to two groups, receiving spinal or general anaesthesia. For evaluation of the influence of pre-operative physical condition on post-operative mental function, a supplementary group of 34 patients with pre-existing cardiovascular and/or pulmonary disorders was included in the study. These patients all received spinal anaesthesia. The patients were observed from the day before surgery until 4 weeks after. In all patients a short-lasting temporary decline in mental function was observed. The outcome was not influenced by the type of anaesthesia. In the two groups receiving spinal anaesthesia the decline in post-operative mental function and subjective sense of well-being was most pronounced in patients with a compromised physical condition pre-operatively. Four weeks after surgery, no signs of mental deterioration were present; however, the subjective sense of physical well-being had not fully returned.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Crul
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hulstijn
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Burger
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003221:Confusion / Q000209:etiology; D006262:Health; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009732:Nursing Care; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013997:Time Factors