Comparing short‐term outcomes between conus medullaris and cauda equina surgical techniques of selective dorsal rhizotomy

Aim To compare short‐term outcomes between conus medullaris (conus) and cauda equina (cauda) selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) techniques in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Method This was a retrospective review of SDR at a single center from 2013 to 2017. Gait and functional outcome measures were assessed at no more than 18 months pre‐SDR (baseline) and 8 to 36 months post‐SDR (follow‐up). Transient complications during inpatient stay were quantified. Results In total, 21 and 59 children underwent conus and cauda SDR respectively. Ashworth Scale scores were nearly normalized at follow‐up. Most physical examination and functional measures exhibited similar baseline to follow‐up responses for both groups. From baseline to follow‐up, sagittal plane knee kinematics for both groups significantly improved (p