Surgical management of spinal deformities in cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) spinal deformities encompass a spectrum of deformities that are often initially treated non-operatively, only to result in progression of scoliotic curves and further morbidity. Various surgical interventions have been devised to address the progressive curvature of the spine. This endeavor cannot be taken lightly and at times can be encumbered by prior treatments such as the use of baclofen pumps or dorsal rhizotomies. Care of these patients requires a multidisciplinary approach and comprehensive preoperative and postoperative management, including nutritional status, orthopedic assessment of functional level with specific emphasis on the hips and pelvic obliquity, and wheelchair modifications. The surgical techniques in CP scoliosis have progressively evolved from the classic Luque-Galveston fixation methods, the use of unit rods, and lately the use of pedicle screws, to modern sacropelvic fixation. With the latter method, the spinal deformity in patients with CP can usually be almost completely corrected. (DO!: 10.3171/2010.5.SPINE09669)