Evaluation of postoperative delirium in geriatric patients given acetaminophen with and without melatonin: A retrospective cohort study.

This article focuses on a retrospective cohort study examining the incidence of postoperative delirium in geriatric patients (≥65 years) undergoing orthopedic surgery who received acetaminophen with or without melatonin. The study found that patients prescribed a combination of acetaminophen and melatonin (≥1 mg/day for at least 48 hours perioperatively) had a significantly lower rate of delirium (5%) compared to those receiving acetaminophen alone (25%), although the combination group had a slightly longer hospital stay. Secondary outcomes such as pain scores, opioid use, and 30-day readmission rates did not differ significantly between groups. The findings suggest that melatonin, when added to acetaminophen, may help prevent postoperative delirium outside of intensive care settings, warranting further prospective trials to confirm optimal dosing and timing.