Objective To assess the medium- and long-term effectiveness of selective posterior rhizotomy (SPR) for spastic cerebral palsy. Methods A retrospective analysis was made on 27 patients with spastic cerebral palsy undergoing SPR between January 1997 and January 2008, whose data were complete with more than 5 years follow-up. There were 14 males and 13 females with an average age of 10.1 years (range, 4-19 years). All patients had simple spastic cerebral palsy, including 17 cases of bilateral spastic palsy and 10 cases of unilateral spastic palsy. The muscle strength, muscle tone, ambulatory function, the sharp foot and crossing-feet, knee jerk, ankle clonus, and Babinski’s sign were evaluated before and after operation. Results All the patients were followed up 5-16 years (mean, 9.6 years). No obvious limitation of lumbar flexion, extension and lateral flexion, spondylolisthesis, kyphosis, and other deformities occurred. At last follow-up, the muscle strength of hip extensors, hip flexors, and knee extensors were significantly increased when compared with preoperative ones (P lt; 0.05); but no significant difference was found in the muscle strength of hip abductors, hip adductors, knee flexors, plantar extensors, and plantar flexors (P gt; 0.05). Abnormal increased muscle tone of hip flexors, hip adductors, knee flexors, and plantar flexors was declined in different degrees in all patients, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative ones (P lt; 0.05); but no significant difference was found in hip extensors, hip abductors, knee extensors, and plantar extensors (P gt; 0.05). At last follow-up, the status of toe steps and crossing-feet disappeared without recurrence for a long time. Sthenic knee jerk was eliminated, but there were several patients also keeping the active knee jerk, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative ones (Z= — 7.404, P=0.000). The results of Babinski’s sign were negative in 31 sides and positive in 13 sides, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative ones (Z= — 6.897, P=0.000). No sharp foot or crossing-feet was observed. And ambulation ability was significantly improved after operation (Z= — 4.111, P=0.000). Conclusion SPR is very effective in decreasing the muscle tone and improving the motor function without recurrence in long-term.
OBJECTIVE To understand the influence of selective ventral rhizotomy on the function of lower extremity and to investigate its effect in the treatment of spastic cerebral palsy. METHODS Ten domestic dogs were used in this study. Under anesthesia, the lumbar spinal canal was reached through posterior approach. The ventral rami consisted of left L5, L6 and L7 spinal nerves was separated. The electromyographic changes of each branch of the rami was examined by electrical stimulation. 60 percents of the L6 ventral nerve root which was the major innervation of the gastrocnemius muscle in dogs, and 30 percents of the other two rami were culted off. The muscle tone, the coordinated movement and balanced capacity of the dogs were observed. After one month, the electrophysiological changes of the biceps femoris, semitendinous, gastrocnemius and anterior tibial muscles were examined and compared with that of the identical muscles of the contralateral limbs. RESULTS Selective ventral rhizotomy was well correspondent to the innervated muscles. After operation, the coordinated movement and balanced capacity were good, but the muscle tone of the corresponding muscle was lowered. This technique was applied on 3 patients with satisfactory short-term results. CONCLUSION For the treatment of spastic cerebral palsy, it is worth trying the selective ventral rhizotomy.
OBJECTIVE To inquire the indications, contraindications, and operative methods of the treatment of spastic cerebral palsy with selective posterior rhizotomy (SPR), and to improve the therapeutic results and decrease the incidence rate of complications. METHODS The documents about SPR were extensively consulted, and the mechanisms, indications, contraindications, operative methods, muscular tension changes and complications after operation were reviewed. RESULTS With the methods of SPR, I alpha fibers of afferent nerve were selectively amputated, reflex circle of spinal cord was locked, and the muscular tension was decreased, so myospasm was removed. The results after operation and incidence rate of complications were closely related to the indications. The therapeutic results were better when the percent of spinal nerve rhizotomy was less than 50%. CONCLUSION It is a good method for the treatment of spastic cerebral palsy.
ObjectiveTo summarize the advancement of precise diagnosis and treatment for spastic cerebral palsy in recent years.MethodsThe literature and own experiences were reviewed, and the surgical method, precise diagnosis, and personalized treatment of spastic cerebral palsy based on the classification of spastic cerebral palsy were summarized and analyzed.ResultsThe common classification of spastic cerebral palsy are gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) and manual ability classification system (MACS). The surgical methods of spastic cerebral palsy can be divided into soft tissue surgery, nerve surgery, and bone and joint surgery. The precise diagnosis of spastic cerebral palsy includes qualitative diagnosis, localization diagnosis, and quantitative diagnosis. Based on precise diagnosis and classification, one or more corresponding surgical methods are selected for treatment.ConclusionThe manifestations of spastic cerebral palsy are so diverse that it is necessary to select rational surgeries based on precise diagnosis to achieve individualized treatment.