Il delirium postoperatorio dopo chirurgia vascolare: uno studio multicentrico internazionale.

Postoperative Delirium following Vascular Surgery: Multidisciplinary Approach. Postoperative delirium is a common complication following various surgical procedures. It is characterized by acute onset, fluctuating course and altered level of consciousness and attention. Postoperative delirium appears frequently, with an average of 36,8% found in meta-analysis, with consequent considerable medical complications and increases care, hospital stay and costs. Patients developing delirium do not only need more and longer care in hospitals (e.g. in Intensive Care Units), they also have a high probability of needing nursery care after discharge. So far only few trials have investigated this problem in a prospective view, nevertheless early recognition, prediction and prevention of postoperative delirium are important tasks, both to reduce workload in hospitals and meanwhile to improve short and long term outcome of our patients.