Preserving ambulatory potential in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy who undergo spinal fusion using unit rod instrumentation.

STUDY

DESIGN

A retrospective study investigated 24 ambulatory pediatric patients with spastic cerebral palsy and neuromuscular scoliosis.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of spinal fusion from T1-T2 to the sacrum with pelvic fixation using unit rod instrumentation on the ambulatory potential of these patients.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Spinal deformities in patients with cerebral palsy and good ambulatory capacity are infrequently associated with pelvic obliquity, so instrumented spinal fusions traditionally do not extend to the pelvis.

METHODS

The medical charts and radiographs were reviewed, and the patients' ambulatory ability was assessed clinically with videotape or complete gait analysis. A questionnaire assessing patients' functional improvement was given to the caretakers.

RESULTS

The study group included 17 female and 7 male patients, among whom were 19 quadriplegics and 5 diplegics. The mean age at surgery was 15.4 years. Of the 24 patients, 20 underwent posterior spinal fusion and 4 had combined anteroposterior procedures. The patients were evaluated clinically before surgery and after surgery. Follow-up evaluations of ambulatory function occurred at a mean of 2.86 years after surgery. No alteration in the ambulatory status of the patients was found, except in one patient who experienced bilateral hip heterotopic ossification and gradually lost her ability to ambulate. Preoperative and postoperative gait analysis was performed for 12 patients, showing no change in their ambulatory function. The surgical outcome survey demonstrated significant improvement in the patients' physical appearance, head and trunk balance, sitting ability, and respiration, with no change in ambulatory capacity.

CONCLUSIONS

Spine surgery with fusion extending to the pelvis in ambulatory patients with cerebral palsy provided excellent deformity correction and preserved their ambulatory function.