title: Postanesthetic delirium.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Postanesthetic Delirium (PAD) is a common acute mental disorder most commonly developed in elderly patients. Its pathophysiology is poorly understood and PAD is often confused with others psychiatric disorders. This study aimed at reviewing important features of this anesthetic complication in geriatric patients.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Postanesthetic delirium pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment are described.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postanesthetic delirium is a frequent and severe complication for geriatric patients. Little attention has been given to PAD and few prospective studies have been carried out. There are no available epidemiological studies on this subject in Brazil, nonetheless routine observation of geriatric patients admitted to postanesthetic care units and wards shows that PAD is a common event, suggesting the need for better preoperative assessment, adequate perioperative care and early diagnosis and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina da USP, Hospital Sírio Libanês, São Paulo, SP.
authors.forename: Pedro Poso
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Neto
authors.forename: Neli A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: Maria Elizabet
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Furlaneto