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Recovery of psychomotor function after propofol sedation is prolonged in the elderly

[Le rétablissement de la fonction psychomotrice après une sédation au propofol se prolonge chez les gens âgés]

From the First Department of Anesthesiology, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan.

Address correspondence to: Dr. Mio Shinozaki, First Department of Anesthesiology, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Mibu, Tochigi 321-0293, Japan. Phone: 81-282-86-7089; Fax: 81-282-86-0478; E-mail: mio28{at}mug.biglobe.ne.jp

Purpose: To assess the effects of age on recovery of psychomotor function for propofol sedation during spinal anesthesia.

Methods: Propofol was continuously infused during surgery and spinal anesthesia in 15 elderly patients (65–85 yr-old) and 15 younger patients (20–50 yr-old). Infusion rates were adjusted to maintain an appropriate level of sedation using the bispectral index (range 60–70). The sedative infusion was discontinued at the end of surgery. The early recovery times from the end of propofol infusion to opening of eyes on command, sustaining a hand grip, and recall of name were noted. Psychomotor function, as measured by the Trieger’s dot test, was evaluated before anesthesia and 30, 60, 90, 120 min after the end of propofol infusion.

Results: The duration of anesthesia was 142 ± 55 min and 134 ± 61 min in the elderly and younger patients, respectively. No differences were observed in early recovery times between elderly and younger patients (opened their eyes on command, 6.3 ± 4.0 min and 5.2 ± 2.6 min; sustained a hand grip, 7.2 ± 3.9 min and 6.1 ± 3.5 min and recalled their name, 8.0 ± 4.5 min and 6.5 ± 3.8 min, P > 0.05 ). The recovery of psychomotor function in the elderly took longer compared with the younger patients, and psychomotor function in the elderly recovered at 120 min after the end of propofol infusion.

Conclusion: Early recovery times following propofol sedation is similar between elderly and younger patients, but recovery of psychomotor function in the elderly is delayed compared with younger patients.

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