Perioperative Management of a Patient with Autism

Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the US. Infantile autism is associated with a characteristic cognitive, language and behavioral features. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have lifelong effects on areas of individual daily life functioning such as learning, relationshipsand independence. We reviewed literature on etiology and causative factors for ASD, and the perioperative management of the disease. In addition, we compared different interventions to make anesthesia induction quicker and smoother, thereby making it a very pleasant experience for the patient and family. The future of anesthetic management of ASD will depend on how well we understand the etiology, psycho-social and medical issues with the disease,thoughtful use of current and newer anesthetic agents (i.e. dexmedetomidine), active involvement of family through the perioperative period, and the availability of a pediatric anesthesiologist.