KY Leung, WK Chan, WK Man, CH Ko

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of phenol and alcohol neurolysis as treatment of spasticity. Method: This is a non-randomisred matched controlled trial. Non-ambulatory spastic children were given same volume of phenol to one nerve and alcohol to the contralateral nerve. Spasticity were assessed by passive range of movement and Modified Ashworth Scale before treatment, and at one, three and six months after treatment. Findings: Five pairs of obturator nerves and one pair of musculocutaneous nerves were recruited. Both phenol and alcohol neurolysis were found to be effective to reduce spasticity at one month, with no significant inter-group difference in passive range of movement gain and Modified Ashworth Scale reduction. No significant complication was identified. Conclusion: Both phenol and alcohol are effective treatment of focal spasticity in children. As a nerve blocking agent, alcohol is a safe and effective alternative to replace phenol in paediatric patients.