Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Published on: August 9, 2024
Evaluation of satisfaction with surgical treatment for musculoskeletal dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy
Andrzej Borowski1, Adam Kwapisz, Tomasz Dorman
1Department of Orthopaedics and Paediatric Orthopaedics, Medical University of Łódź, Poland. aborowski@xl.wp.pl
Insights
Surgery for cerebral palsy (CP) significantly improves quality of life, with high parent satisfaction reported. Most parents would repeat the surgical decision, indicating positive outcomes for children with CP.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Neuromuscular Disorders
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) presents complex musculoskeletal dysfunctions requiring diverse surgical interventions.
- CP is a leading cause of hospitalization in pediatric orthopedics, affecting 1-5 per 1000 live births.
- Surgical options range from soft tissue release and osteotomies to spinal surgery and baclofen pump implantation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate patient and parent/guardian satisfaction after surgical treatment in children with cerebral palsy.
- To assess the impact of surgical interventions on the quality of life for children with CP.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 52 children (1988-2001) with hemiparesis, diparesis, or tetraparesis underwent surgical treatment.
- Subjective satisfaction levels were assessed via follow-up examinations with patients and their parents/guardians.
- Data collected included parent/guardian reports on perceived quality of life changes post-surgery.
Main Results:
- 82.6% of parents reported significant improvement in their child's quality of life post-surgery.
- 43 parents indicated they would opt for the same surgical decision again.
- 9.6% of parents reported no change, and 3.8% reported a deterioration in quality of life.
Conclusions:
- Multilevel soft tissue release in children with CP leads to significant improvements in quality of life.
- High levels of parent and guardian satisfaction are associated with surgical interventions for CP.
- Surgical management positively impacts the functional outcomes and well-being of children with cerebral palsy.
Background:
The variety of symptoms in cerebral palsy (CP) points to the advisability of using the term 'cerebral palsies' to underline the complex nature of the associated musculoskeletal dysfunctions. The incidence of CP is estimated at 1 to 5 in 1000 live born infants. This makes CP one of the main causes of hospitalization in paediatric orthopaedic wards. The complicated nature of the musculoskeletal dysfunctions entails the necessity of employing multiple surgical procedures: starting from multilevel soft tissue operations, to multiple corrective osteotomies, to spinal surgery with implantation of baclofen pumps for subarachnoid administration. The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of satisfaction following surgery in CP children.
Material And Methods:
The study group was composed of 52 children (27 males and 25 females) surgically treated between 1988 and 2001. There were 18 children with hemiparesis, 19 with diparesis and 15 with tetraparesis. A subjective evaluation of the level of the satisfaction of the patient and the parent/guardian after the surgical treatment was carried out during a follow-up examination.
Results:
Forty-three parents (82.6%) reported improvement after the surgery and declared that they would take the same decision again. Five parents reported no significant change in the quality of life of their children (9.6%), and two (3.8%) reported a deterioration.
Conclusion:
1. Multilevel soft tissue release in children with CP significantly improved their quality of life and was associated with a high level of parents'/guardians' satisfaction.
