Anesthesia for selective dorsal rhizotomy in children.

Anesthetic records for the first 71 children who underwent selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) at our hospital were reviewed. Anesthesia during SDR must preserve muscle contraction in response to direct electrical stimulation of the dorsal nerve rootlets. In our experience, halothane, isoflurane, and narcotics do not interfere with electrophysiologic monitoring, even though relatively large doses are required during SDR. Propofol proved to be unacceptable as an anesthetic because of severe muscle spasms during electrical stimulation of the nerve rootlets. The body temperature rises predictably during the stimulation phase of SDR and active warming measures should be avoided.