Peri-Operative Management of Cerebral Palsy: Our Experience

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most common movement disorder in children. Its prevalence ranges from 1-2.5 per 1000 live births. In our hospital, average number of children with CP presenting specially for MRI imaging ranges from 100-150 per year. The clinical picture varies considerably ranging from mild monoplegia with normal intellect to severe spastic quadriplegia with mental retardation. Children with cerebral palsy present with various spastic and dyskinetic movements along with mental retardation, cognitive impairment, sensory loss, seizures, communication and behavioral disturbances, as well as chronic systemic problems and their management requires a multidisciplinary approach. An anesthesiologist plays an active role at various levels ranging from sedation for diagnostic procedures to anesthesia and pain relief for various lifestyle enhancing surgical interventions. Hence, an understanding about the etiopathology, clinical presentation and pharmacological treatment will help the anesthesiologist for hassle-free management during the peri-operative period.