Selective Posterior Rhizotomy for Treatment of Progressive Spasticity in Patients with Myelomeningocele

This preliminary report describes two cases of progressive spasticity and scoliosis in children with myelomeningocele. Both patients had evidence of tethered spinal cord. Untethering of the spinal cord was successful in arresting the scoliosis but not the spasticity. Selective posterior rhizotomy was successful in resolving the spasticity in both cases. The technique of selective posterior rhizotomy is reviewed.