A. Berant et al., EFFECTS OF ANESTHESIA IN ELECTIVE SURGERY ON THE MEMORY OF THE ELDERLY, Archives of gerontology and geriatrics, 20(2), 1995, pp. 205-213
The effects of anesthesia in elective operations on the cognitive func
tioning of the elderly, was examined in 88 patients aged 60-90 years.
These patients were assessed pre-operatively and at a week and three m
onths post-operatively. Forty patients (44.5%) received general anesth
esia and 48 (54.5%) received regional anesthesia. The results show no
significant difference between the two anesthetic methods. Differences
were noted in remote memory index between the three examination time
periods. (In contrast to a later work, it was found that patients whos
e cognitive state had been low deteriorated more than others). The onl
y differences found between younger and older patients were in remote,
recent and immediate memory. One of the major conclusions was that th
e effects of the methods of anesthesia, general and regional, are no d
ifferent in young and elderly patients.