Postanesthesia alteration of lower limb contractures in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of general anesthesia (GA) on joint range of motion (ROM) in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP). Eighty-four SCP cases (mean age 8.4 years) admitted for first corrective surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Lower limb ROM were measured 1 day before operation and immediately after GA. Contracture of hip, knee, and ankle joints decreased significantly after GA, with +11.1° (39.5%) for the hip abduction angle, -3.7° (18.0%) for the Thomas test, -15.0° (19.1%) for the popliteal angle, +6.6° (39.8%) and 7.0° (109%) for ankle dorsiflexion with knee flexion and extension, respectively (all P<0.001). These changes were correlated positively to pre-GA contracture and body weight, negatively to age, but independent of preoperative functional level, geographic classification of SCP, or modified Ashworth scale. On the basis of these findings, routine post-GA reassessments of joint ROM before corrective surgeries were recommended for pediatric SCP cases.