Abstract: Objective To explore the development trajectory of cognitive function in the elderly patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic urological surgery. Methods The clinical data of the patients aged ≥65 years old receiving robot-assisted laparoscopic urological surgery were analyzed. The patients underwent the assessment of cognitive function by Mini-mental State Examination(MMSE) and Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-Modified(TICS-m) scale.The development trajectory of postoperative short-term and long-term cognitive function was analyzed. Results The incidence rate of cognitive impairment in the elderly patients undergoing robot-assisted urological surgery 1, 3, 6 months after surgery was 26.7%, 19.9% and 14.3%, and the incidence rate of severe cognitive impairment was 6.2%, 4.7% and 4.4%. The TICS-m score in preoperative cognitive impairment group 3 months after surgery was 33.47±3.81, compared with 35.12±4.12 in normal preoperative cognitive function group(P=0.009). Compared with the patients with normal cognitive function 1 month after surgery, the patients with postoperative cognitive impairment 1 month after surgery presented with higher incidence rates of postoperative cognitive impairment 3, 6 months affter surgery. Conclusions Preoperative cognitive impairment in the elderly patients receiving robot-assisted urological surgery is associated with postoperative cognitive impairment 3 months after surgery. The occurrence of cognitive impairment 1 month after surgery has a warning effect on the occurrence of long-term cognitive impairment after surgery.

Key words: postoperative cognitive dysfunction, robot-assisted laparoscopic urological surgery, aged, preoperative cognitive impairment