NEUROANESTHESIA

Children requiring surgical treatment of epilepsy present many periope rative challenges. Anesthetic agents affect both the seizure threshold and the ability to monitor behavioral and electrophysiological functi ons. Furthermore, patients receiving chronic anticonvulsant therapy ha ve altered responses to many anesthetic drugs. Special considerations must also be given to the needs and requirements of pediatric patients . This article reviews concerns relevant to the preoperative, intraope rative, and immediate postoperative anesthetic management of these pat ients.