Long-term Results of Operative Treatment of Congenital Muscular Torticollis

Abstract

We reviewed 29 cases of the congenital muscular torticollis which had been treated by open tenotomy during the period of 1956-1972 in our clinic and evaluated by direct examination in 1978.The treatment consisted of open tenotomy, immobilization in plaster brace to maintain the overcorrected position for 3 to 4 weeks and physical therapy etc.The following conclusion was drawn.1) Facial asymmetry was improved satisfactorily when the operation was done before 2 years of age.2) Correlation between improvement of facial asymmetry and that of rotatory motion of the neck was suspected.3) In majority of cases the contour of the sternocleidomastoid muscle of the operated side located more laterally than that of the contralateral side.4) The scar of the skin incision had tendency to move upward. Therefore, we think it had better to make the incision at the inferior margin of the clavicle.5) Cause of the residural wry neck was mainly incomplete resection of the muscles.