The article is devoted to the study of postoperative cognitive dysfunction — a syndrome that is often found in the postoperative period and does not depend on the volume of surgeon. Based on the analysis of the results of modern studies, the authors cite the most likely etiological causes of the syndrome, grouped according to different categories of risk factors. The pathogenetic algorithm for cognitive dysfunction includes the appearance of systemic inflammation, improving blood-brain barrier permeability with the endothelial dysfunction, the migration of inflammatory agents into the central nervous system, and the formation of oxidative stress. The clinical manifestations of cognitive deficit in the outcome of surgeon performed under general anesthesia, the authors illustrate with their own observations of patients with a neurosurgical profile with spinal pathology operated on with the use of propofol anesthesia, comparing the results of neuropsychological testing with an assessment of the level of anxiety. In conclusion, the authors outline a strategy for the prevention of postoperative cognitive dysfunction and recommend conducting neuropsychological rehabilitation as an important component of postoperative recovery for all patients with a diagnosed cognitive deficit that occurred after surgery.
