Intrathecal baclofen is increasingly being used to manage severe spasticity in children. Although substantial tone reduction with this treatment has been documented, complications also occur. In this study, we describe the device- and major non-device-related complications in a group of 100 consecutive children and young adults who received 117 intrathecal baclofen pumps for the management of severe spasticity. Twenty-four patients (24%) experienced a total of 48 complications. The most common complication was disconnection of the catheter at its connection to the pump, occurring in 9% of pumps implanted. This complication occurred more frequently in pumps with catheter access ports (16%) than in those without ports (2%). Catheter dislodgement from the intrathecal space was the next most common complication, occurring in 8% of pumps implanted (13% of pumps with ports, 4% of pumps without ports). To decrease the occurrence of the most common complications of intrathecal pumps, we now typically implant pumps without catheter access ports, and we use 2-piece catheters. Although the lack of an access port may be a disadvantage for troubleshooting, most complications can be detected in pumps without a port. Patient and family education is critical in preventing serious consequences of baclofen withdrawal resulting from catheter-related complications.

Intrathecal baclofen is used increasingly to manage severe spasticity in children. Before implanting the baclofen pump, care providers typically ask how it will benefit their child. The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of care providers about intrathecal baclofen for management of spasticity in 80 individuals (52 males, 28 females). The individuals were younger than 22 years at the time of implantation (mean age 11 years, SD 5 years; range 3 to 21 years). Participants had been implanted with the pump for a minimum of one year at the time of evaluation. The most common diagnoses were quadriplegic and diplegic cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury. Most participants were at level IV and V on the Gross Motor Function Classification System. After pump implantation most participants had tone reduction on the Ashworth scale of 1 to 1.9 in the lower extremities and 0 to 0.9 in the upper extremities. Lower extremity range of motion was maintained in 43 of 51 individuals (84%) and lost in 8 participants (16%). Complications requiring surgery occurred in 63 of a larger group of 152 patients (incidence per patient-year of follow-up was 0.19). Thirty-one of the 80 children had orthopedic procedures after pump placement. Only one of these was unexpected and none had rapid progression of scoliosis. Most treatment goals were achieved. Goals most commonly chosen (decreased pain, prevention of worsening of deformity, and improved ease of care) were improved in 91%, 91%, and 88% of participants respectively. Ninety-five per cent of care providers agreed that they would have this procedure performed again (81% strongly agreed, 14% slightly agreed). All care providers reported improvement in scores on the Caregiver Questionnaire. This information has been helpful to families considering intrathecal baclofen therapy.

For children with moderate to severe spasticity, SDR and ITBP are both effective surgical treatments. Our results indicate SDR is more effective in reducing the degree of spasticity and improving function than ITBP is in this group of patients.