Treatment of spasticity of lower limbs in cerebral palsy with the selective lumbosacral posterior rhizotomy: an accompanying long-term efficacy

Abstract

Objective To investigate the treatment of spasticity of lower limbs in cerebral palsy with the selective lumbosacral posterior rhizotomy (SPR). Methods The clinical data of 1 455 patients with spastic cerebral palsy with lower limbs pasticity treated by SPR were analyzed retrospectively. In addition to relieving the lower limb spasticity after procedure, the long-term follow-up of other accompanying effects were performed. Results All 1 455 patients were followed up for 21.8 (mean, 12-44) months. While adding up the efficacy of relieving lower limb spasticity with operation (the total spasm remission rate was 94.8% and the gait function improvement rate was 85.6%) during the follow-up period, the improvement of other concomitant symptoms of patients was observed: the improvement rates of salivation, oral dyskinesia and dysarthria, spasticity of upper limbs, and strabismus were 64.5% (300/465), 39.1% (135/345), 33.3% (240/720), and 33.3% (225/675), respectively. Conclusions While in the treatment of spasticity of lower limbs in cerebral palsy, SPR improves the concomitant symptoms, such as salivation, oral dyskinesia and dysarthria, spasticity of upper limbs, and strabismus in different degrees in 33.3-64.5% patients. Its specific mechanism needs to be further studied. Key words: Spastic cerebral palsy; Selective lumbosacral posterior rhizotomy; Efficacy