Effect of epidural block anesthesia combined with general anesthesia on postoperative cognitive ability of elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery

This study was designed to explore the effect of epidural block anesthesia combined with general anesthesia on postoperative cognitive ability of elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. A total of 115 elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery in our hospital were collected as study subjects. Among them, 65 patients treated by epidural block anesthesia combined with general anesthesia were designated group A and 50 cases with general anesthesia were designated group B. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score, Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA), adrenaline, cortisol, visual analogue scale (VAS) and incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups were compared, and the risk factors affecting postoperative cognitive ability of elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery were analyzed. The preoperative MMSE score, MoCA score, adrenaline, and cortisol levels were not significantly different between both groups. The postoperative MMSE score and MoCA score in group A were significantly higher than those of group B, while adrenaline and cortisol were significantly lower than those of group B. The postoperative VAS score was significantly lower than that of group B. There was no remarkable difference in the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions between the two groups. Age, hypertensive history, operation time, years of education, and anesthesia methods are risk factors that affect the postoperative cognitive ability of elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. Epidural block anesthesia combined with general anesthesia can improve their postoperative cognitive ability and dramatically reduce stress response and pain during surgery.