Spinal Anaesthesia for Lower Limb Orthopaedic Surgery in a Child with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Cerebral palsy (CP) refers to a spectrum of nonprogressive neurological disorders with disturbances in posture and movement, resulting from perinatal intrauterine insult to developing infant brain. Many conditions associated with CP require surgery. Such cases pose important gastrointestinal, respiratory, and other perioperative considerations. Anaesthetic management in these cases is delicate. Intraoperative complications including hypovolemia, hypothermia, muscle spasms, seizures, and delayed recovery might complicate the anaesthetic management. A thorough preanesthetic evaluation allows for a better intra- and post-operative care. Perioperative analgesia is important, particularly in orthopaedic surgeries one for pain relief. Here, we have discussed the successful management of a case of spastic CP for orthopaedic lower limb surgery.