title: Botulinum toxin injection as an adjunct when planning hand surgery in children with spastic hemiplegia.
abstract: The usefulness of botulinum toxin A treatment when planning hand surgery in eight children with spastic hemiplegia was evaluated. The hand function of the children was assessed before and after treatment using a test battery consisting of quantitative and qualitative functional assessment. The results of preoperative botulinum treatment supported surgical intervention in four children and serial botulinum treatment in three children. In one child, the preoperative botulinum treatment provided no additional information. We conclude that preoperative botulinum A treatment in most children with spastic hemiplegia, for whom hand surgery is being considered, identifies the patients who would not benefit from the planned surgery or for whom the functional benefit would probably not outweigh the burden of surgical procedure and postoperative rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Department of Neurology, University Central Hospital of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Autti-Rämö
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peltonen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taimo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: von Wendt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006227:Hand Deformities, Acquired / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D018579:Patient Selection; D011300:Preoperative Care
chemical_list: D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A