Hypnotic drug use may be associated with increased risk of postoperative delirium

1. Older age, hypnotic drug use, and higher intraoperative fluid load were independent risk factors associated with postoperative delirium development after pancreatic surgery.

Evidence Rating Level: 2 (Good)

Postoperative delirium is common after major surgery and can lead to other postoperative complications, prolonged hospital stays, and higher hospital costs. While previous studies have reported risk factors for postoperative delirium, research specifically on those following pancreatic surgery remains limited. This study thus aimed to identify risk factors for postoperative delirium in patients who underwent pancreatic surgery. This retrospective, single-center study included adult patients (>18 years) who underwent pancreatic surgery between July 2020 and March 2021 in a hospital in Shanghai, China. Postoperative delirium was assessed with the Confusion Assessment Method twice a day up to postoperative day 7. In total, 385 patients (mean [SD] age, 58.33 [13.41]; 202 [52.5%] male) were included in the study, of which 59 (15.3%) developed postoperative delirium after pancreatic surgery. Independent risk factors of postoperative delirium were found include age (≥  65 years) [Odds ratio (OR) 2.01; 95% Confidence interval (CI) 1.12-3.63; p =  0.019], hypnotic drug use (OR 4.17; 95% CI 1.50-11.10; p =  0.005), and intraoperative fluid balance (OR 2.57; 95% CI 1.37-4.84; p =  0.003). Overall, study results suggest that managing intraoperative fluid load along with standardized perioperative programs may be important in reducing postoperative delirium risk, especially in high-risk patients such as those with advanced age or a history of hypnotic drug use. Future is needed to validate study findings.

Click to read the study in PLOSONE

Image: PD

©2025 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. Inquire about licensing here. No article should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors or by 2 Minute Medicine, Inc.