Effect of preemptive analgesia with parecoxib sodium on postoperative cognitive function in the elderly patients

Objective To investigate the effect of preemptive analgesia with parecoxib sodium on postoperative cognitive junction in the elderly patients.Methods Sixty ASA ⅠorⅡ patients aged 69-83 yr weighing 47-73 kg undergoing elective operation on the femoral head or hip joint were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=30 each):control group (group C) and parecoxib group (group P).Their preoperative mini-mental state examination scores were more than 23.Parecoxib sodium 40 mg in 5 ml normal saline was injected iv before induction of anesthesia in group P. Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia with fentanyl and tramadol was used in all patients. VAS score was maintained ≤3. If VAS score was more than 3, a bolus of fentanyl 0.2 μg/kg was given iv.Venous blood samples were taken at 1 day before and 1, 4, 24 and 72 h after operation for determination of plasma concentrations of cortisol.Cognitive function was assessed by mini-mental state examination. The total amount of fentanyl and tramadol consumed was recorded. Results Plasma cortisol concentrations and incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction were significantly lower and the total amount of fentanyl and tramadol consumed was smaller in group P than in group C.Conclusion Preemptive analgesia with parecoxib sodium 40 mg can reduce the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction in the elderly patients. Key words: Cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors;  Analgesia; Cognition disorders;  Postoperative complications;  Aged