Anaesthetic management of a very premature infant: Case report

Abstract

Summary: Anaesthesia and surgery for premature infants is becoming more common and presents additional hazards in an already precarious life. Attention to detail is mandatory in the management of these infants whose immature physiological systems have a limited ability to compensate for homeostatic imbalance. Body and skin temperatures, fluid balance, ventilation, inspired oxygen concentration and acid-base status should be controlled. Meticulous monitoring is important before, during and after surgery. A rational choice of anaesthetic agents and techniques can be made from a knowledge of the modified effects and altered metabolism of drugs in premature infants. Anaesthesia for an intrathoracic and an intra-abdominal operation on a premature infant is described. Complicating conditions were recurrent apnoea requiring 3 weeks of intermittent positive pressure ventilation, and a patent ductus arteriosus with severe congestive cardiac failure, and pneumothorax. © 1972 John Sherratt & Son Ltd.