Pediatric anesthesia for orthopedic surgery

Abstract

Pediatric patients undergoing orthopedic procedures warrant unique considerations compared to adults. Providers should understand these differences before caring for children in the operating room. The use of regional anesthesia in children, particularly ultrasound-guided, has proven beneficial and is therefore increasingly recommended. Evidence-based data regarding the use of regional anesthesia and its safety is being compiled on a more routine basis due to the creation of the Pediatric Regional Anesthesia Network (PRAN.) As congenital syndromes are common in pediatric orthopedic patients, providers should be familiar with their anesthetic implications. This chapter provides an overview of anesthetic practice and common challenges encountered by anesthesiologists and perioperative physicians when caring for children undergoing orthopedic procedures.