Complications with selective posterior rhizotomy.

Since 1986 250 patients have undergone selective posterior rhizotomy for spastic cerebral palsy at New York University Medical Center. Severe, perioperative complications were experienced by 15% of these patients and consisted of bronchospasm, aspiration pneumonia, urinary retention, ileus, sensory loss. Additionally, most of our patients had severe pain immediately after the surgery and nearly half had dysesthesias for up to 3 weeks. Long-term complications such as decreasing range of muscle movement and hip dislocation are now becoming apparent. This patient population must be viewed as having special risks attendant with surgery and particularly with selective posterior rhizotomy.