OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical efficacy as well as the incidence and extent of complications regarding intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy in children.
METHODS: This is a retrospective medical chart review of three paediatric patients with acquired brain injuries (ABI) resulting from drowning who underwent ITB pump implantation for treatment of severe spasticity.
RESULTS: Compared to the pre-operative state, ITB therapy reduced spasticity with a corresponding decrease of modified Ashworth scale in upper (3.2 ± 1.4 to 1.3 ± 0.6) and lower extremities (3.5 ± 0.9 to 2.0 ± 1.0). Overall, six complications, five device-related and one accidental, were found in two out of three patients.
CONCLUSION: Intrathecal baclofen is an effective therapy option for paediatric patients with ABI after drowning to significantly reduce spasticity of upper and lower extremities. A word of caution must be addressed to the incidence and extent of complications related to ITB therapy.