Preserving ambulatory potential in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy who undergo spinal fusion using unit rod instrumentation
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Published on: February 2, 2024
Athanasios I Tsirikos1, Wei-Ning Chang, Suken A Shah
1Alfred I. Du Pont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware 19899, USA.
Insights
Spinal fusion to the pelvis in ambulatory cerebral palsy patients preserved ambulatory function and improved appearance. This surgery is safe and effective for correcting scoliosis in this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Spinal Surgery
- Cerebral Palsy Research
Background:
- Spinal deformities in ambulatory cerebral palsy patients often lack pelvic obliquity.
- Traditionally, spinal fusions in these patients do not include pelvic fixation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of spinal fusion extending to the sacrum with pelvic fixation on ambulatory potential.
- To assess the effect of unit rod instrumentation in pediatric patients with spastic cerebral palsy and neuromuscular scoliosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 24 pediatric patients with spastic cerebral palsy and neuromuscular scoliosis.
- Review of medical charts and radiographs; clinical assessment of ambulatory ability via videotape or gait analysis.
- Questionnaire for caretakers assessing functional improvement.
Main Results:
- No significant alteration in ambulatory status was observed post-surgery in most patients.
- One patient experienced hip ossification, leading to loss of ambulation.
- Significant improvements noted in physical appearance, trunk balance, sitting ability, and respiration.
Conclusions:
- Spine surgery with pelvic fixation in ambulatory cerebral palsy patients achieves excellent deformity correction.
- This surgical approach effectively preserves ambulatory function while improving overall outcomes.
Study Design:
A retrospective study investigated 24 ambulatory pediatric patients with spastic cerebral palsy and neuromuscular scoliosis.
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of spinal fusion from T1-T2 to the sacrum with pelvic fixation using unit rod instrumentation on the ambulatory potential of these patients.
Summary Of Background Data:
Spinal deformities in patients with cerebral palsy and good ambulatory capacity are infrequently associated with pelvic obliquity, so instrumented spinal fusions traditionally do not extend to the pelvis.
Methods:
The medical charts and radiographs were reviewed, and the patients' ambulatory ability was assessed clinically with videotape or complete gait analysis. A questionnaire assessing patients' functional improvement was given to the caretakers.
Results:
The study group included 17 female and 7 male patients, among whom were 19 quadriplegics and 5 diplegics. The mean age at surgery was 15.4 years. Of the 24 patients, 20 underwent posterior spinal fusion and 4 had combined anteroposterior procedures. The patients were evaluated clinically before surgery and after surgery. Follow-up evaluations of ambulatory function occurred at a mean of 2.86 years after surgery. No alteration in the ambulatory status of the patients was found, except in one patient who experienced bilateral hip heterotopic ossification and gradually lost her ability to ambulate. Preoperative and postoperative gait analysis was performed for 12 patients, showing no change in their ambulatory function. The surgical outcome survey demonstrated significant improvement in the patients' physical appearance, head and trunk balance, sitting ability, and respiration, with no change in ambulatory capacity.
Conclusions:
Spine surgery with fusion extending to the pelvis in ambulatory patients with cerebral palsy provided excellent deformity correction and preserved their ambulatory function.
