Anesthesia for Innovative Pediatric Surgical Procedures

Abstract

Over the past few decades, there have been many advances in pediatric surgery, some using new devices (eg, VEPTR, MAGEC rods) and others using less invasive approaches (eg, Nuss procedure, endoscopic cranial suture release, minimally invasive tethered cord release). Although many of these procedures were initially met with caution or skepticism, continued experience over the past few decades has shown that these procedures are safe and effective. This article reviews the anesthetic considerations for these conditions and procedures.

Keywords: Craniosynostosis; Endoscopic cranial suture release; Minimally invasive tethered cord release; Nuss procedure; Pectus excavatum; Tethered cord syndrome; Thoracic insufficiency syndrome; Vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR).