What are the benefits of the Baclofen pump (ITB)?
The Baclofen pump only takes about 50 minutes for the experienced surgeon to implant with no major incisions into the spine and/or body cavities. In comparison, the operative time for selective posterior rhizotomy (SPR) can be four to six hours, depending upon the number of nerve rootlets severed. The children and adults generally recover more quickly from the more minor surgery, allowing for more aggressive early therapy and home dismissals. The Baclofen pump is completely reversible, and thus even if it does not work to one’s best perceptions, it can always be removed. One can gradually increase the pump dosage over time, taking away as much tone or spasticity as is best for the patient’s function. This allows the patient to gradually strengthen as appropriate over time, not creating excessive weakness or low tone post surgery. If the child eventually goes through a growth spurt a year or two later, then one can simply increase the dosage of the pump to help the tissues stretch out a
