Neonate with Single Ventricle for Emergency Colostomy – Anesthetic Considerations and Perioperative Challenges

Single-ventricle condition involves a spectrum of congenital cardiac conditions associated with only single functioning ventricle with other ventricle usually rudimentary or non-functional. There is a mixing of systemic and pulmonary venous blood usually at the atrial level, and this leads to significant morbidity and mortality especially when they have to undergo surgery under anesthesia. We report successful management of a 3-day-old neonate, diagnosed with anorectal malformation and was presented to us for colostomy. This article describes the goals of anesthesia and risks involved in such cases with a brief discussion on various aspects of single-ventricle physiology.