COMPARISON OF SEVOFLURANE AND PROPOFOL ADMINISTRATION ON POSTOPERATIVE COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION IN SPINAL SURGERY USING THE MINI-MENTAL STATE EXAMINATION (MMSE)

NCT07378878 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 88/KEPK/USU/2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to compare the effects of two commonly used anesthetic agents, sevoflurane and propofol, on cognitive function after spinal surgery. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common complication following general anesthesia, particularly in complex procedures such as spinal surgery. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) will be used to assess cognitive function before surgery and at multiple time points after surgery (6 hours, 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days). Twenty patients undergoing elective spinal surgery will be randomly assigned to receive either sevoflurane or propofol anesthesia. Cognitive outcomes will be measured and compared between the two groups. The study will evaluate whether propofol offers better preservation of cognitive function compared to sevoflurane, which has been associated with oxidative stress and hippocampal dysfunction. The results of this study will provide important information for anesthesiologists and surgical teams regarding the choice of anesthetic agents to minimize cognitive decline after spinal surgery, improving patient safety and postoperative recovery.

Conditions

Condition / Focus: Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction (POCD) Following Spinal Surgery

Keywords

Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction; POCD; Spinal Surgery; Sevoflurane; Propofol; General Anesthesia; Cognitive Function

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) Score

  Cognitive function of participants will be assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at multiple time points postoperatively. The change from baseline MMSE scores will be compared between the sevoflurane and propofol groups to evaluate the incidence and severity of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD).

  Preoperatively (baseline), 6 hours, 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days postoperatively

Study Arms (2)

Sevoflurane Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Inhalational anesthesia using sevoflurane. Dose and duration will follow standard anesthetic protocols for spinal surgery. Cognitive outcomes will be measured postoperatively using MMSE.

Drug: Sevoflurane Administration

Propofol Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients in this group will receive general anesthesia using propofol during elective spinal surgery. Postoperative cognitive function will be assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at 6 hours, 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after surgery.

Drug: Propofol Administration

Interventions

Sevoflurane Administration DRUG

Inhalational anesthesia using sevoflurane. Dose and duration will follow standard anesthetic protocols for spinal surgery. Cognitive outcomes will be measured postoperatively using MMSE.

Sevoflurane Group

Propofol Administration DRUG

Intravenous anesthesia using propofol. Dose and duration will follow standard anesthetic protocols for spinal surgery. Cognitive outcomes will be measured postoperatively using MMSE.

Propofol Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Patients scheduled for elective spinal surgery.
• Age between 18 and 65 years.
• ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) physical status I-II.
• Able to give informed consent.
• Willing to participate in all cognitive assessments (MMSE) before and after surgery.

You may not qualify if:

• History of neurological disorders (e.g., dementia, stroke, epilepsy).
• Severe psychiatric disorders.
• Known allergy or contraindication to sevoflurane or propofol.
• History of drug or alcohol abuse.
• Patients undergoing emergency spinal surgery.
• Inability to understand or complete MMSE assessment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universitas Sumatera Utara: lead

Study Sites (1)

RSUP H. Adam Malik Medan

Medan, North Sumatra, 20155, Indonesia

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Postoperative Cognitive Complications

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Postoperative Complications; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Cognitive Dysfunction; Cognition Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Isak Isak, MD

  Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, University of North Sumatra

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Participants are aware of the anesthesia type, but outcome assessors performing MMSE tests are blinded to the intervention.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator - Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Universitas Sumatera Utara

Model Details: Patients are randomly assigned to either the sevoflurane or propofol group. Cognitive function is assessed at multiple time points postoperatively using the MMSE.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 22, 2026
• First Posted: January 30, 2026
• Study Start: February 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 15, 2025
• Study Completion: May 15, 2025
• Last Updated: January 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations

ID (1)