Sedative may prevent delirium after an operation

A mild sedative could greatly reduce the risk of people experiencing delirium after an operation, according to new research. The study, by scientists at Imperial College London and Peking University First Hospital , suggests sedating patients after they undergo an operation may reduce the risk of post-operative delirium by up to 65 per cent. The condition may affect up to one in three people who have a major operation, causing confusion and hallucinations - with the over-65s particularly at risk. The team, who published their study in The Lancet , believe the sedative may help the brain 'recover and reset' after surgery. Post-operative delirium is a huge challenge for the medical community - and incredibly distressing for patients and their families. Professor Daqing Ma Study author Post-operative delirium usually strikes within the first two days of a person waking from general anaesthetic. The symptoms range from relatively mild, such as a person not knowing their name or where they are, to more severe, such as aggressive behaviour, believing people are trying to harm them, or even hallucinations.