Anesthetic Management of a Patient with West Syndrome

Abstract

West syndrome is a rare and severe form of epilepsy that occurs in early infancy. It is characterized by a triad consisting of infantile spasms, mental retardation, and interictal electroencephalogram pattern termed hypsarrhythmia. A thorough preoperative assessment forms a very important part in the anesthetic management of such patients considering the possibility of difficult intubation because of the coexisting anatomical malformations, establishment of peripheral intravascular access, and careful positioning due to contractures, seizures, and the adverse effects of drugs taken for it. We present anesthesia management of a case of West syndrome with subtrochanteric fracture femur posted for intramedullary nailing. Keywords: Difficult intubation, infantile spasms, mental retardation, West syndrome.