Incidence of spinal deformity in children after multiple level laminectomy for selective posterior rhizotomy

Fifty-five children with cerebral palsy had multiple-level laminectomies for selective posterior rhizotomies for the relief of spasticity. They were followed up clinically and radiologically to assess their spinal stability and the possible development of post-laminectomy deformity of the spine. The majority of the deformities found were related to cerebral palsy and did not appear to be due to the laminectomy: 16% had scoliosis, 5% kyphosis, 7% lordosis, and 9% spondylolysis/spondylolisthesis. Spondylolysis is the only abnormality that appeared to be more common in this group than in children with cerebral palsy.