Abstract: Objective：To explore the correlationship between the change of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in peripheral blood and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in patients with tracheal intubation under general anesthesia. Methods：The elderly patients (age≥65) undergoing orthopaedics surgery with no cardiovascular disease and antidepressant disease history were selected. The cognitive function of patients was scored by minimental state examination (MMSE) at 1 d before operation and 2 h after operation. There were two groups: POCD group (n=20) and control group (n=22). The level of VEGF in peripheral blood was detected in 10 min before anesthesia induction, 1 h during operation, 2 h and 1 d after operation, respectively. Results：There was no significant difference in demographic data between the two groups. MMSE score was significantly lower 2 h after operation than before operation in POCD group (P＜0.001), but there was no significant difference between preoperation and postoperation in the control group. VEGF level was significantly increased 2 h after operation compared with that before operation in POCD group (P<0.01), but there was no significant changes between the control group and POCD group at other time points. Conclusions：For the elderly patients undergoing orthopaedics operation under general anesthesia, the early POCD may be associated with the elevated expression of VEGF in peripheral blood 2 h after operation.