Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a complication that occurs most commonly in elderly patients. It significantly increase morbidity, mortality and health care costs in elderly patients, while reducing the quality of life. A number of anesthesia risks factors have been associated with POCD, which including the duration, type, drugs and depth of anesthesia, and postoperative analgesia. In this article, we reviewed the studies of anaesthetic factors related to POCD in elderly patients and provided the theoretical basis for making sensible choices of high-risk patients, to reduce the incidence of POCD.