The therapeutic effects of ablative neurosurgical procedures on the spinal cord for intractable spinal spasticity.

STUDY DESIGN

This research is a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE

To study the therapeutic effects of operative procedures, including dorsal longitudinal myelotomy (DLM) and dorsal root entry zone lesion (DREZL) on spasticity and associated aspects.

SETTING

Tertiary university hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.

METHODS

Eighteen patients with refractory spasticity of spinal origin who underwent the operations were recruited. Clinical parameters for evaluating severity of spasticity and ambulatory status were compared between before and after surgery, and between surgeries.

RESULTS

A statistically significant reduction of spasticity as measured by the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Adductor Tone Rating Scale (ATRS) and Penn Spasm Frequency Scale (PSFS) was found after surgeries and in the overall analysis ( < 0.05). Chronic pressure ulcers disappeared postoperatively in 11 cases. All of 7 bed-ridden subjects experienced improvement in their ambulatory status postoperatively. DLM was found to be more effective than DREZL in reduction of spasticity.

CONCLUSION

Ablative neurosurgery on the spinal cord is still valuable in situations when intrathecal baclofen is unavailable. These operations are potentially effective in the treatment of intractable spasticity of spinal origin.