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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

A Mouse Model of Orthopedic Surgery to Study Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction and Tissue Regeneration
Published on: February 27, 2018
Postoperative cognitive decline
Anne-Mette Sauër1, Cornelis Kalkman, Diederik van Dijk
1Department of Perioperative Care and Emergency Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Memory loss and lack of concentration are symptoms that frequently occur in patients who have undergone a surgical procedure. Although cognitive function can be assessed using neuropsychological tests, reliable diagnosis of postoperative cognitive decline (POCD) appears to be difficult. Therefore, the true incidence of POCD is unknown. Severe POCD, which is apparent even without neuropsychological testing, is reported most frequently after cardiac and hip-replacement surgery. In these cases, POCD probably reflects microembolic brain injury. Apart from the nature of the surgical procedure, advanced age is the most important risk factor for POCD. The anesthetic technique is not a determinant of POCD: the risk of POCD appears to be similar after both general and regional anesthesia.
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