Background Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common postoperative neurological complication of elderly patients, and it is a kind of non-specific substantive organ brain syndrome. To date, pathogenesis and pathophysiology of delirium remain elusive, there are less effective prevention and treatment measures of POD in clinica practicel. Objective To review the recent researches on POD in order to reduce the occurrence of POD and prevention measures in elderly patients. Content Elaborate the risk factors and pathophysiology of the POD, describe the diagnosis and prevention measures of POD. Trend With the deep understanding of the function and mechanism of POD in elderly patients, will provide new ideas and methods to prevent the occurrence and development of POD.