[Delirium increases morbidity and length of stay after vascular surgery operations. Results of a prospective study].
OBJECTIVE
We intended to analyze the influence of postoperative delirium on postoperative morbidity and length of hospital stay.


METHODS
153 patients undergoing elective arterial surgery were studied prospectively. Patients were examined postoperatively by a psychiatrist daily from days 1 to 7. Delirium was diagnosed according to standardised criteria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). The severity of delirium was quantified using the Delirium Rating Scale. We compared patients without delirium to those who developed postoperative delirium using univariate statistical analysis (t-test, chi (2) test, and Fisher's test).


RESULTS
Sixty patients (39.2%) developed postoperative delirium. They removed catheters significantly more frequently than patients without delirium and had more catheter-related infections. Their length of stay in intensive care units was higher, as was their total postoperative length of stay in hospital.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients who developed postoperative delirium have significantly more complications and increased postoperative length of stay in hospital and intensive care units.
Böhner
H
H
Chirurgische Klinik I, Lukaskrankenhaus Neuss. hboehner@lukasneuss.de
Friedrichs
R
R
Habel
U
U
Müller
E E
EE
Sandmann
W
W
Schneider
F
F
D000368:Aged; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003693:Delirium / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*