[Posterior selective rhizotomy in the treatment of spasticity and muscular dystonias].

The authors analyse the results of 18 operations in patients with spasmodic torticollis (6 cases), spasmodic tetraparesis in combination with hyperkinesia of the type of torsion dystonia and choreoathetosis (3), spasmodic inferior paraparesis, Little's disease (8), and myelopathy (1). Selective posterior and anterior radicotomy was carried out on the cervical level, in 10 patients posterior selective rhizotomy was performed on the lumbar level with division of three fourths of fibres in each bundle forming the roots. The results of the operation were considered satisfactory in spasmodic torticollis and good in Little's disease and spasticity in the lower limbs. Adequate medical and social rehabilitation of the patients was achieved. Operations of the roots in spasmodic tetraparesis and the hyperkinetic syndrome failed to produce the desired effect.