Selective dorsal rhizotomy after baclofen intrathecal pump removal: a single-center experience and review of the literature

Purpose

Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) and intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pump placement are two surgical options in children affected by spasticity secondary to cerebral palsy ¹. The latest literature is an enlarging indication for SDR in case of ITB failure in non-ambulant patients as an alternative to pump reimplantation to reduce spasticity and facilitate patients’ care.

Methods

A retrospective single-center study has screened all children diagnosed with spastic tetraparesis who underwent in the last 10 years SDR and had previously ITB pump implanted. A cohort of six patients was pooled out. Furthermore, pertinent literature has been reviewed.

Results

Indication for pump removal was pump pocket infection, parents’ decision, and poor response to ITB. Patients’ amount of lifetime with the pump implanted has been 6.9 years. The preoperative and postoperative Ashworth scores were statistically different in both procedures (p= 0.005 and p= 0.,02).

Conclusions

Only two studies investigated the pediatric population undergoing SDR in the occurrence of ITB pump removal. Authors are offering SDR to all children, regardless of GMFCS groups and previous ITB pump placement. In conclusion, SDR represents a valid tool in neurosurgeon’s hands to help ameliorate patients’ long-lasting quality of life, reducing the severity of the spasticity and leading to better management by caregivers.