Results of Minimally Invasive Bipolar Tenotomy of Congenital Muscular Torticollis

Abstract

Background Congenital muscular torticollis is the postural deformity of the head and of the neck. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the results of bipolar sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle tenotomy in children.

Methods The present prospective study was conducted at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery from December 2010 to December 2014. A total of 34 children with congenital muscular torticollis and a mean age of 4.8 years (range: 1–14 years) were recruited from the Outpatient Department. They were treated with bipolar SCM muscle release under general anesthesia. The functional and cosmetic results were rated on a scoring system modified from Lim et al (2014). All of the children were followed-up for 2 years.

Results At the final follow-up, the neck range of movement and head tilt improved and their appearance were cosmetically improved despite the long-standing nature of the deformity. The results were excellent in 30 patients (88.23%) and good in 4 patients (11.76%). No postoperative complications were found in any of the 34 patients.

Conclusion Bipolar tenotomy of the SCM muscle is a good method for correcting difficult cases of congenital muscular torticollis. It is a safe, effective and complication-free method for these patients.

Resumen

Introducción La tortícolis muscular congénita es la deformidad postural de la cabeza y del cuello. El propósito de este estudio es evaluar los resultados de la tenotomía del músculo esternocleidomastoideo bipolar en niños.

Métodos Este estudio prospectivo, se realizó en el departamento de Cirugía Ortopédica a partir de diciembre de 2010 a diciembre de 2014. Treinta y cuatro niños con tortícolis muscular congénita con una edad media de 4,8 años (rango: 1 a 14 años) fueron reclutados del ambulatorio. Fueron tratados con liberación de músculo esternocleidomustoide bipolar bajo anestesia general. Los resultados funcionales y cosméticos se evaluaron en un sistema de puntuación modificado de Lim y col (2014). Todos los niños recibieron acompañamiento durante dos años.

Resultados En el acompañamiento final, el rango del cuello del movimiento, la inclinación y su apariencia fueron cosméticamente mejorados a pesar de la permanente naturaleza de la deformidad. Los resultados fueron excelentes en treinta pacientes (88,23%) y bueno en cuatro pacientes (11,76%).. No se encontraron complicaciones en el post-operatorio de esos 34 pacientes.

Conclusión La tenotomía bipolar de los esternocleidomastoideos es un buen método para corregir los casos de tortícolis muscular congénita.. Para los pacientes, es un método seguro, efectivo y sin complicaciones.

Keywords

torticollis - bipolar tenotomy - deformity - children

Palabras Clave

tortícolis - tenotomía bipolar - deformidad - niños

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