Selective dorsal rhizotomy for spasticity treatment: A new surgical method in Slovenia

Abstract

Spasticity is characterised by an abnormal increase in muscle tone, which may affect normal movements and the patients’ quality of life. Only a few paediatric neurosurgeons are being concerned with this pathology, mainly because decades ago the neurosurgeons were able to offer these children only a modest relief. Since then, the pharmacological therapy of spasticity has improved along with the neurosurgical and orthopaedic interventions. The medicines may limit the effects of the disease and the surgical treatment is gaining in importance, thus improving the quality of patients’ life. We report a case of a child affected by spastic paraparesis treated neurosurgically by SDR, which was performed in Slovenia for the first time.