Effect of preoperative hospitalisation period on postoperative cognitive dysfunction in patients undergoing hip surgery under regional anaesthesia.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The main objective of this prospective and observational study was to investigate the effect of the preoperative hospitalisation period on early postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) development in patients undergoing total hip replacement surgery under regional anaesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 2013 and September 2014, 64 patients were enrolled in the study. Mini Mental Test (MMT) scores were obtained on the initial admission day (MMT1), 24 hours prior to the surgery (MMT2) and 24 hours after the surgery (MMT3). The patients were divided into two groups according to the MMT scores: 'no cognitive dysfunction' (group 1) and 'cognitive dysfunction' (group 2). Differences between the groups were evaluated statistically. The statistical significance level was set as P < .05 in a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The POCD incidence rate was calculated as 43.8% in all patients. The preoperative hospitalisation duration was significantly longer in patients with POCD than in patients without POCD (P < .001). The factors that affected POCD development were found to be advanced age (P < .001), high American Society of Anesthesiologists scores (P = .004), the presence of comorbid disease (P = .025), durations of surgery (P = .018) and decreased postoperative haematocrit levels (P = .014). CONCLUSION: In this study, we observed that patients with early POCD had relatively longer preoperative hospitalisation periods than those in patients without POCD. We consider that prolonged preoperative hospitalisation may contribute to increased POCD incidence rates in patients with risk factors.

Herbal Use among Presurgical Patients in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: For centuries before the advent of modern medicine, traditional medicinal plants were the major agents for primary health care. Their use declined in most developed western countries during the last century's industrialization and urbanization. But, the last two decades have witnessed a new resurgence of interest in herbal and alternative medicines. METHODS: The survey was conducted at the Anaesthesiology and Reanimation Department of Training and Research Hospital of Health and Science University among patients who had undergone elective surgery between January 1st 2016 and April 1st 2016. A questionnaire composed of 15 questions was used. RESULTS: A total 87 (14.5%) patients reported the use of herbal medications. Twenty five patients were taking a single herbal medication and 52 patients were taking more than one. 92.5% of patients do not know the side effects of herbal medications. 35 cases of operation patients were questioned by the physician about herbal use, and 228 cases were not questioned by the physician. CONCLUSION: Anesthesiologist should be aware of the effects of herbals on body functions and possible herbal-drug interactions to take care of such potentional perioperative complications.