Delirium is a common, serious surgical complication in older adults. One in four adults will experience delirium after major surgery which can cause confusion, reduced awareness of the environment and difficulty maintaining attention. Delirium is distressing to patients, carers and family and is associated with prolonged hospital stay, poor outcomes after surgery and deterioration in physical and mental function.
The causes of postoperative delirium are complex. However, there is evidence to suggest that titrating general anaesthesia drugs to avoid overly deep anaesthesia may be a simple and effective way to reduce postoperative delirium. An electroencephalogram (EEG) measures the electrical activity of the brain and provides anaesthesiologists with information on how deeply anaesthesised a patient is and allows titration of general anaesthesia drugs during surgery. Using electroencephalography, this study will compare light and deep general anaesthesia to see if this could reduce delirium and later problems with brain function after surgery. In Australia, every patient affected by delirium costs an additional AUD$60,000 through direct healthcare needs, financial losses, and loss of wellbeing. If found to be effective, this simple intervention could help to preserve the brain health of many older adults undergoing surgery and save the health system millions of dollars.
Dr Carolyn Deng, Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand
Dr Douglas Campbell, Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand
Professor Tim Short, Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand
Professor Kate Leslie, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria.
The project was awarded $A70,000 funding through the ANZCA research grants program for 2023.