Postoperative cognitive dysfunction(POCD) is a common neurological complication after operation under general anesthesia, and its serious condition will affect the prognosis and quality of life in the patients. The pathogenesis of POCD is a complicated pathophysiologic progress, and influenced by many factors. Awareness of the influencing factors for POCD is helpful to communicate among the anesthesiologists, surgeons, patients and their relatives in order to promote early recovery and improve prognosis for the patients. This article reviewed the influential factors for POCD and summarized its possible mechanisms.