Tiempo quirúrgico prolongado como factor de riesgo para delirium postoperatorio en pacientes adultos mayores del Hospital General de Zona No. 33

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Postoperative delirium constitutes one of the most common complications in the elderly during the postoperative period. It is defined as an acute and reversible disorder that disrupts attention, cognition, and alertness. The importance of its early detection, as well as its risk factors, lies in the fact that timely management and attention to the possible causes that triggered it are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality rates. Objective: To identify whether prolonged surgical time is a risk factor for postoperative delirium in elderly patients at H.G.Z. N° 33. Materials and methods: Prospective case-control study. Fifty-six patients over 60 years old who were in their postoperative phase in the recovery area of General Zone Hospital N° 33 were included. The CAM survey (Confusion Assessment Method) was administered within the first hour of their postoperative period, and on the 5th day following their surgical event. Results: No statistically significant association was found between prolonged surgical time and the development of postoperative delirium (p 0.09). However, a statistically significant association was found between postoperative delirium and blood loss volume (p 0.02), as well as with intraoperative hypotension (p 0.04). Conclusion: Understanding the triggering factors of postoperative delirium, along with its timely diagnosis and management, represents a significant challenge for anesthesiologists. Inadequate treatment can have catastrophic consequences for our patients.