Is there a relationship between hypertension and lower-extremity contracture release in cerebral palsy?

Recent reports have suggested a relationship between release of lower-extremity contractures and the development of hypertension in cerebral palsy and poliomyelitis patients. A retrospective study was performed on 119 cerebral palsy patients who had undergone lower-extremity contracture releases. Temporary elevation of systolic blood pressure in the perioperative and intraoperative periods occurred in 46 patients (39%), and temporary elevation of diastolic blood pressure occurred in 14 patients (12%). Type of cerebral palsy, patient age, patient sex, type of anesthesia, and type of procedure were not significantly correlated with the temporary blood pressure elevations. No patient developed sustained elevation of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. We conclude that lower-extremity contracture release in pediatric patients is not associated with an increased incidence of postoperative hypertension.