Soft Tissue Release and Osteotomies in the Treatment of Patients with Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

We aim to study the outcome of soft tissue releases by tendon elongations and osteotomies in fixed joint contractures by clinical examination and patient self-reported assessment on 20 patients (14 males and 6 females) with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy treated with single-event multilevel surgery (SEMLS) between 2000 and 2012. A questionnaire was used to collect information on problems encountered before and after surgery and decision on surgery. Comparing patients with Gross Motor Function Classification System class I/II, (N = 8), III (N = 8) and IV/V, patients of classes IV/V showed much slower mean recovery time than I/II group (14.00 vs. 4.38 months, p < 0.01). SEMLS in the treatment of patients with spastic diplegia had good mid-term results in most patients. The patients who had unfavourable outcomes are associated with mental retardation, general or local complications and previous selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery. Patient selection and good rehabilitations preoperation and postoperation provided the most favourable outcomes of SEMLS.