[Effect of propofol and isoflurane on surgical stress response and postoperative cognitive function in elderly patients]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of propofol and isoflurane on surgical stress response and postoperative cognitive function in elderly patients.

Methods: Sixty elderly patients scheduled for elective upper abdominal surgery with general anesthesia were randomized equally into propofol group and isoflurane group. The surgical stress response, postoperative Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and the rate of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) were compared between the two groups.

Results: The surgical stress response in propofol group was relatively stable. Compared with isoflurane group, the patients in propofol group showed significantly faster recovery of the MMSE scores with also lower rate of POCD.

Conclusion: Compared with isoflurane, propofol intravenous anesthesia is associated with rapid recovery of the cognitive function, stable surgical stress response and reduced adverse effects in elderly patients.