Anesthetic considerations in neonatal neurosurgical patients

Neonatal neurosurgery patients have specific considerations throughout the perioperative course in addition to the usual care of neonates undergoing other surgical procedures. Prematurity, with its associated comorbidity, temperature, and glucose control are important topics to consider in this age group. This article addresses practical aspects of preoperative assessment, intraoperative management, and postoperative care. Because CSF shunting and myelomeningocele repair are common neonatal procedures, these specific procedures are the focus of this article.