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Long-term outcomes five years after selective dorsal rhizotomy

Nordmark, Eva LU ; Lundkvist, Annika LU orcid ; Lagergren, Jan LU ; Andersson, Gert LU ; Strömblad, Lars-Göran LU and Westbom, Lena LU (2008) In BMC Pediatrics 8.
Abstract
Background: Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is a well accepted neurosurgical procedure performed for the relief of spasticity interfering with motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). The goal is to improve function, but long-term outcome studies are rare. The aims of this study were to evaluate long-term functional outcomes, safety and side effects during five postoperative years in all children with diplegia undergoing SDR combined with physiotherapy. Methods: This study group consisted of 35 children, consecutively operated, with spastic diplegia, of which 26 were Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III-V. Mean age was 4.5 years (range 2.5-6.6). They were all assessed by the same... (More)
Background: Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is a well accepted neurosurgical procedure performed for the relief of spasticity interfering with motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). The goal is to improve function, but long-term outcome studies are rare. The aims of this study were to evaluate long-term functional outcomes, safety and side effects during five postoperative years in all children with diplegia undergoing SDR combined with physiotherapy. Methods: This study group consisted of 35 children, consecutively operated, with spastic diplegia, of which 26 were Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III-V. Mean age was 4.5 years (range 2.5-6.6). They were all assessed by the same multidisciplinary team at pre- and at 6, 12, 18 months, 3 and 5 years postoperatively. Clinical and demographic data, complications and number of rootlets cut were prospectively registered. Deep tendon reflexes and muscle tone were examined, the latter graded with the modified Ashworth scale. Passive range of motion (PROM) was measured with a goniometer. Motor function was classified according to the GMFCS and measured with the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) and derived into GMFM-66. Parent's opinions about the children's performance of skills and activities and the amount of caregiver assistance were measured with Pediatric Evaluation Disability Inventory (PEDI). Results: The mean proportion of rootlets cut in S2-L2 was 40%. Muscle tone was immediately reduced in adductors, hamstrings and dorsiflexors (p<0.001) with no recurrence of spasticity over the 5 years. For GMFCS-subgroups I-II, III and IV-V significant improvements during the five years were seen in PROM for hip abduction, popliteal angle and ankle dorsiflexion (p=0.001), capacity of gross motor function (GMFM) (p=0.001), performance of functional skills and independence in self-care and mobility (PEDI) (p=0.001). Conclusion: SDR is a safe and effective method for reducing spasticity permanently without major negative side effects. In combination with physiotherapy, in a group of carefully selected and systematically followed young children with spastic diplegia, it provides lasting functional benefits over a period of at least five years postoperatively. (Less)
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author
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
BMC Pediatrics
volume
8
article number
54
publisher
BioMed Central (BMC)
external identifiers
  • wos:000264324800001
  • scopus:60549087572
  • pmid:19077294
ISSN
1471-2431
DOI
10.1186/1471-2431-8-54
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Division of Physiotherapy (Closed 2012) (013042000), Clinical Neurophysiology (013013001), Paediatrics (Lund) (013002000), Neurosurgery (013026000)
id
d5459365-44f2-499e-adc1-e7778d2c9b9d (old id 1399330)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 13:41:18
date last changed
2023-01-19 07:54:26
@article{d5459365-44f2-499e-adc1-e7778d2c9b9d,
  abstract     = {{Background: Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is a well accepted neurosurgical procedure performed for the relief of spasticity interfering with motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). The goal is to improve function, but long-term outcome studies are rare. The aims of this study were to evaluate long-term functional outcomes, safety and side effects during five postoperative years in all children with diplegia undergoing SDR combined with physiotherapy. Methods: This study group consisted of 35 children, consecutively operated, with spastic diplegia, of which 26 were Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III-V. Mean age was 4.5 years (range 2.5-6.6). They were all assessed by the same multidisciplinary team at pre- and at 6, 12, 18 months, 3 and 5 years postoperatively. Clinical and demographic data, complications and number of rootlets cut were prospectively registered. Deep tendon reflexes and muscle tone were examined, the latter graded with the modified Ashworth scale. Passive range of motion (PROM) was measured with a goniometer. Motor function was classified according to the GMFCS and measured with the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) and derived into GMFM-66. Parent's opinions about the children's performance of skills and activities and the amount of caregiver assistance were measured with Pediatric Evaluation Disability Inventory (PEDI). Results: The mean proportion of rootlets cut in S2-L2 was 40%. Muscle tone was immediately reduced in adductors, hamstrings and dorsiflexors (p&lt;0.001) with no recurrence of spasticity over the 5 years. For GMFCS-subgroups I-II, III and IV-V significant improvements during the five years were seen in PROM for hip abduction, popliteal angle and ankle dorsiflexion (p=0.001), capacity of gross motor function (GMFM) (p=0.001), performance of functional skills and independence in self-care and mobility (PEDI) (p=0.001). Conclusion: SDR is a safe and effective method for reducing spasticity permanently without major negative side effects. In combination with physiotherapy, in a group of carefully selected and systematically followed young children with spastic diplegia, it provides lasting functional benefits over a period of at least five years postoperatively.}},
  author       = {{Nordmark, Eva and Lundkvist, Annika and Lagergren, Jan and Andersson, Gert and Strömblad, Lars-Göran and Westbom, Lena}},
  issn         = {{1471-2431}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{BioMed Central (BMC)}},
  series       = {{BMC Pediatrics}},
  title        = {{Long-term outcomes five years after selective dorsal rhizotomy}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2431-8-54}},
  doi          = {{10.1186/1471-2431-8-54}},
  volume       = {{8}},
  year         = {{2008}},
}