The results of this study have significant implications for clinical practice and guideline development. The current European guideline on postoperative Delirium prevention (ESAIC 2024) explicitly identifies a lack of large, adequately powered studies comparing different anesthetic techniques and is therefore currently unable to provide clear recommendations on the selection of an optimal technique. This study will close this knowledge gap and thus support future guideline recommendations. The results could show that a particular anesthetic technique (e.g., propofol) is associated with a significantly lower risk of postoperative delirium; if so, this would have immediate implications for modifying standard anesthesia protocols in hospitals.
Furthermore, Delirium is a significant public health challenge in aging societies. With demographic aging, the number of older patients undergoing surgery is continuously increasing. The societal costs of Delirium are estimated at several billion euros per year in major industrialized nations. A reduction in the incidence of postoperative Delirium by just 10% through optimization of the anesthetic procedure would therefore have major health economic implications.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Exclusion criteria
. Cardiac surgery (this patient group requires specialized monitoring strategies and has postoperative delirium risk profiles that differ significantly from those of other types of surgery)
. preoperatively diagnosed delirium, defined as positive results on the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (NU-DESC) or the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) during preoperative evaluations;
. severe preoperative cognitive impairment, defined as a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score \<15 points, or
. preoperatively documented severe dementia
. neurosurgical procedures (neurosurgical patients require specialized monitoring protocols and differ from other surgical patients in their postoperative delirium (POD) symptoms)
. Patients who were already admitted to intensive care units prior to their elective surgery (these patients already have increased mortality and a different risk profile)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
. Patients who were already intubated or sedated prior to surgery (this group cannot undergo standardized POD screening)
. High preoperative risk for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) (specifically, patients with documented PONV grade 3 or PONV grade 4 risk are excluded, as this group is indicated for anesthesia with propofol)