title: Distal cordectomies as treatment for lumbosacral myelomeningoceles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of distal cordectomies on motor function in the lower extremities of infants with lumbosacral myelomeningoceles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records were reviewed in 32 infants with lumbosacral myelomeningoceles who were 1 day to 7 months old, who had some lower-extremity function preoperatively, and who were treated by distal cordectomies, dividing the cord between its exit from the intact spinal canal and the neural placode. Neurological function was evaluated before and after operation by therapists who were unaware of the surgical technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neurological function was unchanged after operation in 29 of 32 cases. For the others, hip flexion, foot plantar flexion, and toe movement were lost in 1 case each.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of infants treated by distal cordectomies retain preoperative motor function after operation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Kijabe Hospital, Kijabe, Kenya.
authors.forename: A Leland
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Albright
authors.forename: Humphrey
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Okechi
mesh_terms: D002818:Cordotomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009048:Motor Skills; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome