SURGICAL TREATMENT OF CEREBRAL PALSY

1. Thirteen years of experience in charge of treatment in a Residential School for Cerebral Palsy, and a review of 466 operations performed on children handicapped by this condition, form the basis for this attempt to frame the indications and contra-indications for operation.

2. A brief description is given of the more commonly performed operations, with an indication of the results that are likely to be obtained.

3. Orthopaedic surgery has a worth-while contribution to make in the treatment of cerebral palsy. When the cases are selected with care, when the appropriate orthopaedic measures are skilfully performed and when the patients are adequately supervised afterwards, the benefits of surgery are greater than those provided by any other treatment, and they are achieved more quickly.

4. The desire to improve and the "inner urge" of the patient to succeed may be the most important single factor in his rehabilitation.