Surgical Problems of Children with Physical Disabilities

Abstract

Disabled children with special health-care needs (CSHCN) may have a variety of medical conditions requiring often a multidisciplinary treatment. The most commonly faced by the pediatric surgeon are cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and Spina bifida. Surgical care providers need to evaluate issues that may impact perioperative decision-making carefully when treating CSHCN as they have or are at risk for chronic, physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions. The surgeon caring for these children must not only anticipate the unique intraoperative and postoperative potential challenges for CHSCN but also the impact of the child’s condition on the whole family life.