Studies on postoperative neurological complications, particularly cognitive dysfunction

摘要

Postoperative respiratory and circulatory complications are increasingly successfully managed by advanced medical technologies. However, prevention of central nervous system (CNS) complications is not as successful. This trend seems to be more apparent in developed countries, where most patients undergoing surgeries are elderly people with coexisting diseases. For example, neuropsycho-logical dysfunction after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has been reported in more than half of patients during the early postoperative period [1]. Many original reports and review articles regarding this topic have been published in this journal. In particular, cognitive dysfunctions following cardiac and orthopedic surgery are often discussed.