Peripheral Neurotomies of the Upper Limb in Children With Cerebral Palsy. (PN-ULCP)
Impact Des Neurotomies Périphériques du Membre supérieur Chez l'Enfant Atteint de Paralysie Cérébrale
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the leading cause of neurological disability in children, with a prevalence of 2-2.5 per 1,000 live births in Europe. It results from irreversible injury to the developing brain and is characterized by permanent disorders of movement and posture, frequently associated with cognitive or sensory impairments. Although the primary lesion is non-progressive, secondary musculoskeletal complications evolve over time, leading to soft tissue contractures and skeletal deformities. Hemiplegia, the most common CP subtype (≈30%), predominantly affects the upper limb, where spasticity and dyskinesia impair both unimanual and bimanual function.
Focal management with botulinum toxin combined with task-oriented therapy has demonstrated functional benefits. However, evidence supporting orthopedic interventions for contractures and deformities remains limited, and functional outcomes following upper limb surgery in CP are insufficiently documented. Selective and hyperselective peripheral neurotomies are established treatments for focal spasticity in adults, yet their role in paediatric CP remains debated.
To date, no study has systematically compared unilateral and bilateral selective or hyperselective upper limb neurotomies in children with CP, nor analysed medium- and long-term functional trajectories within a structured multidisciplinary decision-making framework. The investigators report the outcomes of a paediatric cohort managed through a standardized pathway including multidimensional preoperative assessment, shared decision-making in a multidisciplinary meeting, specialized neurosurgical intervention, and protocolized postoperative rehabilitation and orthotic management. Functional impact is assessed at discharge and at 6 and 12-15 months.
This study aims to provide original comparative data on the magnitude and durability of functional gains in unimanual and bimanual performance, identify potential responder profiles, and clarify the position of neurotomy within the therapeutic algorithm for the spastic upper limb in children with CP. Ultimately, the findings may contribute to refining indication criteria, optimizing surgical timing, and improving participation and autonomy outcomes.
Study Overview
Status
Conditions
Intervention / Treatment
Study Type
Enrollment (Estimated)
Contacts and Locations
Study Contact
- Name: BEURIAT PA PA, MD
- Phone Number: 0472357572
- Email: pierre-aurelien.beuriat@chu-lyon.fr
Study Locations
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Bron, France
- Hospices Civils de Lyon - Groupement Hospitalier Est - Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant - Service de Neurochirurgie Pédiatrique
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Principal Investigator:
- Pierre-Aurélien BEURIAT, MD
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Contact:
- Pierre-Aurélien BEURIAT
- Phone Number: 0472357572
- Email: pierre-aurélien.beuriat@chu-lyon.fr
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Participation Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Ages Eligible for Study
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Genders Eligible for Study
Sampling Method
Study Population
The study includes patients followed at the Massues Medical-Surgical Rehabilitation Centre (Lyon, France) who underwent peripheral neurotomy of the upper limb between February 2018 and October 2025 and who were under 18 years of age at the time of the surgical project. At the Massues Medical-Surgical Rehabilitation Centre, each patient undergoes a preliminary assessment and a surgical plan is defined during a multidisciplinary meeting, with the aim of reaching a shared and informed decision. Peripheral neurotomy surgery is performed by a specialist neurosurgeon, followed by rehabilitation and orthotic treatment tailored to the procedure performed. The impact of the surgery is assessed 12-15 months post-operatively.
All patients meeting the inclusion criteria are included, i.e. 21 patients.
Description
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age < 18 years at the time of surgery.
- Unilateral or bilateral upper limb impairment.
- Follow-up at the CMCR des Massues.
- Inclusion between 1 February 2018 and 31 October 2025.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Refusal to allow medical data to be used for research purposes.
Study Plan
How is the study designed?
Design Details
- Observational Models: COHORT
- Time Perspectives: RETROSPECTIVE
Cohorts and Interventions
Group / Cohort |
Intervention / Treatment |
|---|---|
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Children with cerebral palsy who have undergone a peripheral neurotomy of the upper limb.
Children with cerebral palsy who have undergone a peripheral neurotomy of the upper limb (musculocutaneous and/or median and/or ulnar), assessed preoperatively and 12-15 months after surgery, using a standardised battery of tests performed as part of routine clinical practice. |
The peripheral neurotomy of the upper limb (musculocutaneous and/or median and/or ulnar) is performed by a specialist neurosurgeon, followed by rehabilitation and orthotic treatment tailored to the procedure performed. The impact of the surgery is assessed at the end of the patient's at 12-15 months, and compared with the preoperative evaluation. |
What is the study measuring?
Primary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
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Melbourne Test - Version 2 (MA2).
Time Frame: Data are collected preoperatively and at 12-15 months postoperatively.
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To mesure the impact of a peripheral neurotomy of the upper limb (musculocutaneous and/or median and/or ulnar) in children with CP on range of motion and dexterity. The range of motion and dexterity scores from the MA2 are used as the main criteria. The MA2 assesses the quality of unilateral upper limb function during standardized tasks (approach, grasping, release, manipulation). It is intended for children aged 2.5 to 15 years with neurological impairment. The assessment is filmed according to a standardized protocol and scored retrospectively from the video. Four scores expressed as percentages are obtained: range of motion, precision, dexterity, and fluidity of movement. The tool has excellent reliability, both intra- (R = 0.97) and inter-examiner (R = 0.95). |
Data are collected preoperatively and at 12-15 months postoperatively.
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Collaborators and Investigators
Sponsor
Study record dates
Study Major Dates
Study Start (Estimated)
Primary Completion (Estimated)
Study Completion (Estimated)
Study Registration Dates
First Submitted
First Submitted That Met QC Criteria
First Posted (Actual)
Study Record Updates
Last Update Posted (Actual)
Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria
Last Verified
More Information
Terms related to this study
Additional Relevant MeSH Terms
Other Study ID Numbers
- 26-5027
Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)
Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?
Drug and device information, study documents
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product
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