[Cervical epidural spinal cord stimulation in infantile encephalopathy]

The effect of Cervical Epidural Spinal cord Electrical Stimulation (E.S.E.S.) was studied in 15 patients with cerebral palsy. Spasticity and dyskinesia, daily functioning and the emotional and physical burden of this therapy for the patients were examined. Twelve patients did not continue the treatment after completing the study, because of lack of symptomatic or functional improvement and many complications due to broken or migrated electrodes. Two patients still continue E.S.E.S. and a third is awaiting replacement of a broken electrode. None of these three patients showed a clear improvement of the ADL scale or the disability score. E.S.E.S. cannot be recommended as a symptomatic treatment for cerebral palsy patients.