Anesthesia for pediatric laparoscopy

Abstract

Recent years have seen an increasing interest in the use of laparoscopic surgery (LS) in children. Compared with conventional open surgery (OS), LS is considered minimally invasive and offers several potential benefits which include less postoperative pain, less respiratory depression, better cosmetic results, and earlier postoperative recovery. However associated physiological derangements seen during LS, which are not part of conventional OS, are challenges for the anesthesiologists caring for children undergoing LS. An appraisal of the associated physiological effects and the potential problems encountered during LS in children are essential for optimal anesthetic care. This chapter reviews the anesthetic management and perioperative care of children undergoing LS. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2008.