This is a retrospective study from Japan analysing 102 patients who underwent oral cancer resection and free flap reconstruction. Postoperative delirium occurred in a third of these patients. An increased risk was identified in those with high preoperative albumin, postoperative insomnia, and a history of smoking. They suggest that maintaining nutritional status and early management of the sleep cycle postoperatively, may be important with prevention of delirium. It is a little strange that in a population with oral squamous cell carcinoma, all be it the far east and the potential cultural differences, alcohol is not mentioned, let alone considered, as a risk factor for postoperative delirium in elderly patient’s undergoing extensive surgery in a disorientating environment.

Risk factors for postoperative delirium in patients undergoing free flap reconstruction for oral cancer.
Makiguchi T, Yokoo S, Kurihara J.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
2018;47:998-1002.
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Stuart Clark

Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK.

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