Patients and Parents’ Satisfaction and Self-Reported Evaluation After Single-Event Multilevel Surgery in Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the results of single-event multilevel surgery (SEMLS) in cerebral palsy (CP) based on objective gait outcomes and self-reported evaluations. Methods: In total, 258 patients with spastic diplegic CP, GMFCS I-III, who underwent SEMLS and with preoperative and postoperative gait analyses, were included in the SEMLS group (SG). The same database was used to compose the control group (CG) formed of 88 subjects who had performed at least 2 gait analyses and did not undergo surgical intervention between tests. Demographic data, Gait Deviation Index (GDI), and a self-reported questionnaire were analyzed, and results were compared between groups. Results: The GDI decreased from 59.6 to 57.9 in the CG and increased from 51.3 to 58.4 in the SG (P<0.001). There was no change in patients’ walking ability in the CG. The number of patients who walk community distances increased after SEMLS in the group that had a GDI improvement >5 points (from 12.3% to 24.7%, P=0.008) and in patients GMFCS I and II (from 9.2% to 20.4%, P=0.028). According to patient and parental responses on satisfaction, the most significant improvements were reported in self-esteem, mobility, body image, and independence. In total, 51.1% of the patients were extremely satisfied or satisfied, while 3.9% were unsatisfied or extremely unsatisfied with the treatment results. Of the parents surveyed, 60.1% were extremely satisfied or satisfied, whereas just 5.0% were unsatisfied or extremely unsatisfied. Conclusions: In the studied group, an improvement in outdoor walking for community distances after SEMLS, as reported in questionnaires, was observed only when GDI increase was >5 points and in GMFCS I and II. Level of Evidence: Level III.