Early Global Cognitive Screening Recovery After Short-Duration Inhalational General Anaesthesia: A Prospective Observational Study In Low-Risk Adults

Abstract

Introduction: Early postoperative cognitive changes after brief inhalational general anaesthesia in younger, low-risk adults remain incompletely characterized. While postoperative neurocognitive disorders are well studied in elderly and high-risk populations, limited prospective data exist on early cognitive recovery after short-duration volatile anaesthesia. This study evaluated early recovery of global cognitive screening following elective short-duration surgery.

Methods: In this prospective observational cohort conducted over 12 months, adults aged 18–60 years with ASA physical status I–II undergoing elective surgery lasting less than 60 minutes under inhalational general anaesthesia were consecutively enrolled. Global cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) preoperatively and at 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively. A ≥2-point decline at 24 hours was predefined as persistent early cognitive decline. Postoperative pain, recovery status (Aldrete score), and physiological parameters were recorded. Associations between anesthetic duration and postoperative MMSE scores were analyzed using non-parametric tests.

Results: A total of 244 patients were analyzed (mean age 44.8 ± 8.6 years; 96.8% female). MMSE scores showed significant temporal variation (p < 0.001), with a transient reduction at 6 hours, followed by recovery at 12 hours and a return to baseline by 24 hours. No participant demonstrated a persistent ≥2-point decline at 24 hours (0%; 95% CI 0–1.5%). Anaesthetic duration was not significantly correlated with postoperative MMSE scores.

Conclusion: Short-duration inhalational anaesthesia was associated with transient early fluctuation but no persistent cognitive decline at 24 hours.