Anaesthesia for hydrocephalic patients and large head patients

Abstract

The incidence of infantile hydrocephalus is estimated at 3-5 cases per 1000 live births with the peak ages of presentation between the first weeks of life and early adulthood. Anaesthetic management of infants with hydrocephalus can be challenging. Primary concerns for the anaesthesiologist include possible difficult airway management mainly because of their relatively large heads. Other concerns include the associated prematurity, paediatric syndromes and congenital abnormalities.