Peripheral neurotomies in the treatment of spastic limbs in cerebral palsy

Objective To discuss the neurosurgical management and outcome of peripheral neurotomy on limb spasticity in cerebral palsy children. Methods 82 peripheral neurotomies were done in 31 cases of cerebral palsy children with 53 spastic limbs. Except for 31 single neural trunk neurotomies, the author also did 22 multiple neural trunk neurotomies to treat the whole spastic limb. The neurotomies include 11 musculocutaneous nerves, 15 median nerves, 37 tibial nerves, 6 obturator nerves, 11 sciatic nerves, 2 profound peroneal nerves. Results All patients were followed up from 6 to 16 months ( means 10. 8 months) , and evaluated with Ashworth scoring, ROM joint movement evaluation, random movement improving evaluation and satisfactory grade of the parents. The postoperative spasticity relief rate is 97. 6% , during follow - up, random movement improving rate is 88. 7% , recurrent rate of different degrees of spasticity is 4. 9% . Conclusions Peripheral neurotomy has a high utility value in treating limb spasticity in cerebral palsy children.