engleski

The effect of dexamethasone added to spinal anesthesia on postoperative cognitive dysfunction and hospital length of stay

Background and aims: The aim of this research is to establish the effect of intrathecal dexamethasone administration in spinal anesthesia with levobupivacaine on postoperative cognitive dysfunction and the hospital length of stay for trauma patients with femur fracture. Methods: A total of 60 patients ASA 2 and ASA 3 status, scheduled for surgical pocedures were sorted into two groups and underwent surgery. One group had spinal anesthesia with levobupivacaine, SA group, and the oyher study group had spinal anesthesia with addition of dexamethasone, DSA group, The primary outcome measure was the occurence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). Length of hospitalization was the duration of hospital stay. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction was defined by using Confussion Assessment Method (CAM) criteria. Results: Average age of DSA group was 81, 63 (SD 6, 94) years and average age of SA group Was 79, 67 (SD 10, 17) years (P=0, 370). CAM criteria showed that 7 DSA vs 17 SA patients (23% vs 56, 7%) experienced POCD. Mean hospital length of stay of DSA group was 15, 90 (SD 6, 00) vs Sa was 17, 40 (SD 4, 00) days (P=0, 045). There was apparent difference in POCD in DSA vs SA group (P=0, 046). Our analysis confirmed that POCD was common but more than in SA vs DSA patients and has influenced on hospital length of stay. Conclusions: We concluded that spinal anesthesia with dexamethasone in comparison to the spinal anesthesia alone can facilitate rehabilitation and can reduce hospital stay.

intrathecal dexamethasone ; POCD ; length of hospital stay

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