Biterminal Sternocleidomastoid Tenotomy for the Treatment of Congenital Muscular Torticollis in Children

Twenty-four children with congenital muscular torticollis, who were treated by the Ferkel'sbitermlinal tenotomy, were evaluated after an average follow-up of 1.4 years. The operativeprocedure was consisted of the biterminal strrnocleidomastoid release and the z-pasty lengthsning of the sternal tendon. Twenty-three patients(96 per cent) reported satisfactory correctionof their head tilt. Z-plasty of the sternal head appears to help in maintenance of the normalcontour of the neck We recommend that biterminal release be performed for those childrenwith severe deformity as well as the secondary facial changes.