Surgical treatment of congenital muscular torticollis

Abstract

Surgical treatment of congenital muscular torticollis with tripolar release of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, followed by modified postoperative treatment with aspecial orthosis. Muscular torticollis due to contracture of the sternocleidomastoid muscle; failure of conservative therapy. Torticollis due to bony anomaly or other muscular contractures. Tenotomy of the sternocleidomastoid muscle occipitally and resection of at least 1 cm of the tendon at the sternal and clavicular origin. Orthosis must be worn for 6weeks 24 h/day, then for another 6weeks 12 h/day. A total of 13patients were treated with tripolar release of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and modified postoperative management. Average follow-up time was 25.7months. One patient presented with recurrence after 3years. No intra- or postoperative complications were observed.