Acta anaesthesiologica BelgicaJun 7, 2018

Effects of Propofol and Sevoflurane Anesthesia on Thinking Problems After Surgery in Older Adults: A Randomized Trial

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Updated Mar 25, 2026

Abstract

A significant decrease in cognitive function was observed in the sevoflurane group shortly after surgery.

Postoperative cognitive function was assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination 48 hours after surgery.
Nine months post-surgery, cognitive performance declined further in the sevoflurane group.
Inflammatory markers increased in both anaesthesia groups after surgery, but their levels did not correlate with cognitive status.
The results suggest a negative effect of sevoflurane anaesthesia on both early and late cognitive outcomes.

Simplified

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction is a topic of special importance in the geriatric surgical population which primarily resolves within the short term postoperative period, but it can become a long term disorder with significant impact on patient's quality of life. This study was designed to compare the short and long term postoperative cognitive function after propofol and sevoflurane anaesthesia in the elderly and to evaluate the role of the inflammatory process.

Effects of Propofol and Sevoflurane Anesthesia on Thinking Problems After Surgery in Older Adults: A Randomized Trial

Abstract

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