Intrathecal baclofen for childhood hypertonia.

Introduction: Intrathecal baclofen was first introduced in 1985 to manage childhood hypertonia. There has been an evolution in thought as to how candidates should be identified and what forms of hypertonia respond to this treatment.

Purpose: This manuscript reviews the pharmacology of the drug, the assessment of candidates, the implantation of the infusion pump, and the usual doses delivered. Side effects and complications are reviewed as are outcomes.