title: Selective posterior lumbosacral rhizotomy for the management of cerebral palsy spasticity. A 10-year experience.
abstract: One hundred and sixty-eight patients had selective lumbosacral posterior rhizotomies for the treatment of cerebral palsy spasticity at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and Groote Schuur Hospital during the 10-year period 1981-1991. There was no mortality and insignificant early postoperative morbidity. Long-term follow-up on 110 patients has revealed satisfactory tone reduction in 95% of cases. The majority showed improvement in standing, sitting and locomotion. Thirteen patients had minor persistent sensory disturbances and 20% have developed asymptomatic spondylolysis or grade I spondylolisthesis. Most therapists, patients and parents remain enthusiastic about the results of this procedure.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Paediatric Neurosurgery, Institute of Child Health, Red Cross Children's Hospital, Rondebosch.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Peter
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Arens
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000502:physiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000601:surgery*