title: Postoperative delirium in the elderly.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Postoperative delirium is a common complication in the elderly whose pathophysiology is not well known. It seems to be related to central cholinergic activity. A literature review was undertaken to describe the etiology, diagnosis, prophylactic strategies, and treatment of postoperative delirium.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Probable etiologies, diagnosis, prophylaxis, and treatment of postoperative delirium in the elderly were described.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of postoperative delirium is higher in the elderly, and prophylactic measures should be taken to reduce the mortality associated with this complication.
authors.affiliation: Unidade de Emergência Armando Lages, Maceió, AL. fabianotimbo@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Fabiano Timbó
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: Rafael Martins
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: da Cunha
authors.forename: André Luiz Carvalho Leme Teixeira
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Pinto
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003693:Delirium / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors