Anesthetic management of a neonate with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita for emergency laparotomy

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita is a rare disease, characterized by non-progressive, multiple joint contractures since birth. Anesthetic issues include difficult intravenous access, difficult airway management and regional anesthesia. We report the anesthetic management of a six-day-old neonate presenting to the emergency with features of intestinal obstruction, who was detected for the first time to have arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. General anesthesia along with caudal analgesia for peroperative and postoperative pain relief was used. There was an episode of intraoperative hyperthermia, which was tackled successfully. The child had an uneventful post-anesthesia recovery.