Anaesthetic Challenges in a Paediatric Clubfoot Surgical Camp Held in a Remote Area: A Case Series

Clubfoot, a common birth defect affecting the foot, impacts a significant number of children in low- and middle-income countries. Although many cases of clubfoot can be effectively treated without surgery, some require surgical intervention. Untreated clubfoot can cause severe disabilities, leading to significant social and economic challenges for the affected individuals. Surgical camps provide crucial access to surgical care for underserved populations. This case series examines the anaesthetic management of 10 children who underwent clubfoot surgery during a surgical camp. Providing anaesthesia to children in areas with limited resources presents significant challenges, including undiagnosed medical conditions, malnutrition, restricted access to diagnostic tools, and limited availability of necessary equipment and medications. Nevertheless, spinal anaesthesia was safely administered to these patients, supported by good monitoring and experienced auxiliary staff. This case series suggests that spinal anaesthesia is a safe technique even in remote and resource-limited places in the paediatric age group.