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Objectives Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is used to improve spasticity, gait, and pain in children with spastic diplegia. There is growing evidence supporting its long-term benefits in terms of functional outcomes, independence, and quality of life. There is, however, little contemporary work describing the surgical morbidity of this irreversible procedure. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the surgical outcomes and complications of SDR at a single United Kingdom center. Methods Demographics, surgical, postoperative, and follow-up data for all patients undergoing SDR between 2011 and 2016 were collected from medical records. Results Preoperative Gross Motor Function Classification System levels in 150 consecutive patients were II (35%), III (65%), and IV (1%). Median age was 6 years and 58% were male patients. There were no deaths, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, returns to theater, or readmissions within 30 days. There were no new motor or sphincter deficits. Postoperative neuropathic pain was reported by 5.3% and sensory symptoms by 8.7%. Other complications included: postoperative nausea and vomiting (19.3%), superficial wound infection (3.3%), urinary retention (1.3%), headache (6.7%), and urine or chest infection (4.7%). Follow-up data were available for all patients (93% to 12 months, 72% to 24 months). Persistent neuropathic symptoms were reported in 6.5% at 24 months. Conclusions SDR using a single-level approach is a safe procedure with low surgical morbidity. This study complements the growing evidence base in support of SDR for spastic diplegia and should help inform decisions when considering treatment options.

Stott NS, Atherton WG, Mackey AH, Galley IJ, Nicol RO, Walsh SJ. The reliability and validity of assessment of sagittal plane deviations in children who have spastic diplegia. Objective To assess the reliability and validity of a newly described classification of sagittal plane alignment in spastic diplegic gait. Design Twenty split-screen videos of children with spastic diplegia, Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I to III, were viewed on 2 occasions, 6 weeks apart, by 5 raters. The sagittal plane alignments of the right and left lower limbs in gait were classified separately as true equinus, jump knee, apparent equinus, or crouch, based on the published classification. A fifth category, nonclassifiable, was used if classification was not possible. We then used sagittal plane kinematic data to confirm the classification for each subject and these were compared with rater classification scores, which used the video information only. Setting Tertiary-level children's hospital. Participants Three pediatric orthopedic surgeons and 2 pediatric orthopedic residents. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Gait classification scores derived from visual observation were compared among and within raters. The gait classification scores derived from visual observation were compared with the scores derived from sagittal plane kinematic data to assess validity. Results A moderate correlation was found among the 5 raters within each session, with an interrater weighted κ score of .45 in session 1 and .49 in session 2. The intrarater, weighted κ scores showed a moderate to substantial level of agreement between sessions, ranging from .50 to .68. The classification scores of individual raters had moderate validity when compared with classifications derived from the sagittal plane kinematic data. However, there was a substantial level of agreement between the consensus opinion and the classification obtained using the kinematic data as well as the video recordings (weighted κ=0.8). Conclusions This classification has only moderate reliability and validity when a single experienced rater views the 2-dimensional gait videos. However, the consensus opinion derived from the scores of 5 raters considerably improves the validity of the assessment.