Abstract: ObjectiveTo analyze the effects of two anesthetic methods on the postoperative cognitive function and serum S100β protein in elderly patients with lung cancer. MethodsA total of 108 elderly patients who underwent lung cancer surgery in hospital from May 2015 to April 2017 were enrolled in the current study. They were randomly divided into two groups: an observation group receiving epidural combined with intravenous general anesthesia and a control group under general anesthesia. Both groups were compared for postoperative condition and the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores, postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) ratio, and serum S100β protein levels at different time points. ResultsThe observation group showed shorter eye opening time and extubation time than the control group (P<0.05). Then, 6 h after operation, remarkable decreased MMSE scores were found in both groups. The MMSE scores of both groups were gradually increased since one day after surgery, and no statistical difference was found in the score between seven days after surgery and one day before surgery (P>0.05). Compared with the control, the observation group produced marked higher MMSE scores 6 hours, 1 and 3 days after surgery (P<0.05). Postoperative cognitive dysfunction occurred in the two groups. The cognitive dysfunction incidence was highest 6 hours after surgery, and then gradually reduced. No cognitive impairment was in the two groups 7 days after surgery. Compared with the control, the percentage of POCD was lower in the observation group 6 hours and 1 day after surgery (each P<0.05). The level of serum S100β protein was significantly increased immediately after surgery in the two groups, which was then gradually reduced 12 hour and 3 days after surgery. Compared with the control, the levels of serum S100β protein was remarkably decreased in the observation group immediately, 12 hours, 1 and 3 days after surgery (each P<0.05). ConclusionsEpidural combined with intravenous general anesthesia and general anesthesia can cause cognitive impairment in elderly patients with lung cancer surgery, but epidural combined with intravenous general anesthesia is less sensitive than general anesthesia and can reduce the incidence of cognitive impairment.