Neuropsychiatric Conditions Associated With Anesthesia Exposure

BackgroundAlthough anesthetics have been used for more than a century, their mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. Given that a number of intraoperative and postoperative neuropsychiatric syndromes have been linked to the use of anesthetics, practitioners should familiarize themselves with these conditions.MethodsBasic concepts about anesthesia are reviewed and neuropsychiatric syndromes associated with anesthesia exposure described.ConclusionsEmergence delirium, postoperative delirium, postoperative cognitive dysfunction, and intraoperative awareness can develop in association with use of inhalation anesthetics and intravenously administered anesthetics.