The treatment of spasticity by means of dorsal longitudinal myelotomy and lozenge-shaped griseotomy.

This report describes the evolution of techniques of spinal surgery developed for the treatment of spasticity of varied etiology and further describes application of a T-shaped dorsal longitudinal myelotomy to five patients. Additionally, a losenge-shaped griseotomy was performed on three patients. Both techniques led to the elimination of hypertonicity and painful spasms, without producing sensory deficits. Although all procedures are performed at lumbar levels, some patients showed reduced spasticity in the neck or upper extremities as well.