Progress in anesthesia and management of the newborn surgical patient

Ongoing advances in the perioperative management of the newborn have undoubtedly decreased the incidence of morbidity and mortality of this vulnerable patient group. The introduction of new surgical techniques and more comprehensive understanding of the effects of varied anesthetic drugs and techniques on the surgical newborn present many challenges for pediatric surgeons and anesthesiologists. Thorough preoperative evaluation and open communication between members of the health care team are important. A basic understanding of age-dependent variables and the interaction of anesthetic and surgical procedures is essential in minimizing perioperative morbidity and mortality.