Ketamine Versus Dexmedetomidine for Prevention of Postoperative Delirium

Delirium is a common postoperative complication in the elderly, often caused by multiple factors. It is defined as an acute neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by fluctuating disturbances in attention, awareness, and cognition. Postoperative delirium occurs in 17-61% of the major surgical procedures. It may be associated with cognitive decline, decreased functional independence, increased risk of dementia, caregiver burden, health care costs, morbidity, and mortality. Therefore, delirium is a possibly disastrous condition and is both a huge burden on a patient's health and on the health care system in general.