ABSTRACT
Medical histories for 105 consecutive children who underwent selective posterior rhizotomy (SPR) were reviewed to determine the incidence and clinical significance of adverse events related to anaesthesia and surgery. No intraoperative or postoperative events with potential for lasting morbidity, nor life threatening events, were identified. Intraoperatively, the most common adverse events were moderate elevation of body temperature (13/105) and transient dysrhythmias (8/105). The most frequent postoperative complications were fever, marginal oxygen saturation in the absence of supplemental oxygen, and postcatheterization cystitis. Early surgical complications, such as wound infection, cerebrospinal fluid leak, haemorrhage, and bowel or bladder disturbance were absent in this series. Surgical technique and anaesthetic management are described.
