The Impact of Monitoring Depth of Anesthesia and Nociception on Postoperative Cognitive Function in Adult Multiple Trauma Patients

Background and Objectives: Patients with traumatic injuries have often been excluded from studies that have attempted to pinpoint modifiable factors to predict the transient disturbance of the cognitive function in the postoperative settings. Anesthetists must be aware of the high risk of developing postoperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in patients undergoing emergency surgery. Monitoring the depth of anesthesia in order to tailor anesthetic delivery may reduce this risk. The primary aim of this study was to improve the prevention strategies for the immediate POCD by assessing anesthetic depth and nociception during emergency surgery. Material and Methods: Of 107 trauma ASA physical status II–IV patients aged over 18 years undergoing emergency noncardiac surgery, 95 patients were included in a prospective randomized study. Exclusion criteria were neurotrauma, chronic use of psychoactive substances or alcohol, impaired preoperative cognitive function, pre-existing psychopathological symptoms, or expected surgery time less than 2 h. Entropy and Surgical Pleth Index (SPI) values were constantly recorded for one group during anesthesia. POCD was assessed 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after surgery using the Neelon and Champagne (NEECHAM) Confusion Scale. Results: Although in the intervention group, fewer patients experienced POCD episodes in comparison to the control group, the results were not statistically significant (p < 0.08). The study showed a statistically significant inverse correlation between fentanyl and the NEECHAM Confusion Scale at 24 h (r = −0.32, p = 0.0005) and 48 h (r = −0.46, p = 0.0002), sevoflurane and the NEECHAM Confusion Scale at 24 h (r = −0.38, p = 0.0014) and 48 h (r = −0.52, p = 0.0002), and noradrenaline and POCD events in the first 48 h (r = −0.46, p = 0.0013 for the first 24 h, respectively, and r = −0.46, p = 0.0002 for the next 24 h). Conclusions: Entropy and SPI monitoring during anesthesia may play an important role in diminishing the risk of developing immediate POCD after emergency surgery.

Postoperative Delirium After Esophagectomy: The Efficacy of Continual Monitoring Using the NEECHAM Confusion Scale

Background Although a majority of nurses understand that delirium is a major issue in perioperative care, professional barriers to routine monitoring using delirium assessment tools exist. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of continual monitoring of postoperative delirium in patients that have undergone esophagectomy using the Neelon and Champagne (NEECHAM) Confusion Scale (NCS). Methods Demographic data and case histories were obtained from medical records. We conducted NCS scoring for 1 week after surgery and verified the daily changes in scores. Patients were classified into normal, neurocognitive-change, and complication groups for the analysis of the influence of preoperative neurocognitive changes and postoperative complications. Results Data from 19 patients were analyzed. NCS scores decreased sharply on the first day and then significantly recovered each day. The normal group exhibited a steady recovery process, but the other groups deviated from this progression. The incidence of delirium was highest on the first day. The incidence in the normal group decreased each day, but other groups developed delirium for an extended time. In the NCS subscale score analyses, the information processing score was low in the neurocognitive-change group. The complication group exhibited delayed recovery of the physiologic control score. Conclusions We observed the recovery process of mental function after esophagectomy as well as the impact of preoperative neurocognitive changes and postoperative complications. Continual monitoring of postoperative mental function may predict postoperative delirium. For early detection and prevention of delirium, nurses should monitor postoperative mental function via daily observation.