Spécificités de l'anesthésie du patient handicapé mental

There is no focus concerning anaesthetic specificities of mentally disabled patients during educational courses in anaesthesia. Health care providers are consequently uncomfortable in this not so rare setting because of difficulties in communicating, possibilities of uncontrolled anxious reactions, uncooperativeness or aberrant behaviour. Sharing experiences can improve anaesthetic management. Human aspects are critical to be considered. Technical issues concerning induction of anaesthesia, interactions between anaesthetic agents and patients' treatment, including analgesics will be addressed in this article.