Peripheral Neurotomies of the Upper Limb in Children With Cerebral Palsy. (PN-ULCP)

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.