Surgery to the shoulder may be performed with patients seated upright in a position known as the beach chair position (BCP). We have recently recruited our 200th and final participant in this study investigating cerebral oxygenation during shoulder surgery and the incidence of post-operative cognitive decline (POCD).

Currently, evidence relating to POCD following surgery is conflicting and relates mostly to outcomes following cardiac surgery.  There is a strong need to explore this relationship in the specific context of shoulder surgery in the BCP.

After data collection is complete we will commence data analysis to investigate factors associated with cerebral desaturation and determine the incidence of POCD after shoulder surgery.