Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT), caused by fibromastosis within the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), refers to unilateral contracture of the SCM that restricts the range of motion at the neck and causes a head tilt toward the shortened SCM7,10). Most infants with CMT are successfully managed with physical therapy4,5). However, the torticollis, when uncorrected or resisted, sometimes results in tightness of the SCM, limited neck motion, head tilt, and craniofacial asymmetry. These cosmetic and functional problems can have an adverse impact on these patients in their adolescence and adulthood.

Several operation have been used to release the SCM: unipolar release, bipolar release, bipolar release with Z-plasty (Fig. 1), and endoscopic release3,8,10,12,16,24,25). The results of surgical release of the affected muscle for resistant cases are well recognized as good in infants, and even in older children2,10). However, CMT is diagnosed and treated when a patient is a infancy or child, and it reported rarely in adult; consequently, reports on the efficacy of surgery for the uncorrected cases are limited and the best technique is still controversial9,15,18–20). The aim of this study was to evaluated the results of bipolar release in 31 patients with CMT in adults with more than 12 months of follow-up.

We retrospectively analyzed surgical outcomes of CMT in 31 adults whose bipolar release of the SCM was undertaken by a single neurosurgeon between August 2006 and February 2014. Each patient’s wry neck had been noticed in infancy or early childhood by a parent. All patients met the following criteria: 1) congenital muscular torticollis with head tilt on the affected side and the presence of a tight band in the ipsilateral SCM, with absence of any previous surgery; 2) adult aged 20 years and older; and 3) no other congenital deformities in the neck determined by the magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography. Thirty-one of 34 consecutive patients were followed up for more than 1 year after surgery; three patients were lost to follow-up. The clinical characteristics of the remaining 31 patients (15 males, 16 females) are summarized in Table 1. The right side was involved in 16 patients, and the left side in 15. None of the patients presented with an additional congenital anomaly. The mean follow-up period was 14.9 months (range, 12–30). The mean age at the time of surgery was 30.3 years (range, 20–58).

All patients underwent a uniform procedure using bipolar release of the SCM. The procedure was conducted while the patient was under intravenous anesthesia and supine. The patient’s neck was extended with a sandbag, and then the patient’s head was turned toward the shoulder on the opposite, uninvolved side. First, the distal portion of the SCM was released by making a skin incision 3 to 5 cm long on the medial end of the clavicle, with consideration given to palpable fibrous bands, and then deepening the incision to the tendons of the sternal and clavicular attachments of the SCM. The tight band and muscle tendon were dissected to pass a right angle instrument posterior to the tendons and were then resected by electrocautery near the insertion site to the clavicle. Next, the proximal portion of the SCM was released by making a short transverse skin incision 1.5 cm to 2 cm long behind the ear, just distal to the tip of the mastoid process. The SCM was then carefully dissected and released near the bone, while checking the nearby nerves and vessels. Finally, the wound was closed with Vicryl 4–0 to approximate the subcutaneous tissues, with meticulous repair of the platysma, The skin was then closed with Nylon 4–0.

A soft cervical collar was applied to maintain an upright position of the neck for at least 4 weeks after surgery. We recommended that each patient use the neck collar at home until 3 months after surgery. Each patient also received instructions for a manual stretching exercise and were directed to keep an upright position of the neck, while not wearing a brace, for at least 6 months. The intermittent stretching exercise was initiated 3 to 5 days after surgery.

Outcome assessment in this series was based on the modified Lee’s scoring system19) (Table 2), the cervicomandibular angle (CMA), and global satisfaction rating scale using patient self-reporting. Craniofacial asymmetry was noted in all patients; however, because craniofacial remodeling is not expected in adulthood, we used the modified Lee’s scoring system that excluded the facial asymmetry section from Lee’s scoring system13) for evaluation of the surgical outcome in our patients. The outcomes of this modified scoring system (Table 2), which included function (neck movement) and cosmesis (head tilt, operative scar, loss of column, and lateral band), were divided into the following four categories: an excellent result had a score of 14–15 points; good was 12–13 points; fair was 10–11 points; and poor was 9 or fewer points. The neck movement of rotation and lateral bending were measured clinically by physical therapists with a goniometer equipped with an inclinometer (Clinical Range of Motion Instrument, Orthopedic Physical Therapy Products, Minnesota, USA) by comparing the contralateral side to the affected side. The head tilt, operative scar, loss of column, and lateral band were evaluated by clinical observation and a questionnaire. The degree of radiological head tilt was measured by determining the CMA, which is the angle between a line along the upper margin of the C7 vertebral body and a line connecting the lower margins of the mandibular angles (Fig. 2)22).

Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software (ver. 12.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The statistical significance of the changes in neck movement deficit and CMA at last follow-up more than 1 year after surgery compared with the baseline was assessed using a paired t-test. A p value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Pearson correlation analysis was used to identify the relationship between clinical head tilt and radiological CMA.

The use of the modified Lee’s scoring system gave excellent results for 4 (12.9%) patients, good for 18 (58.1%), and fair for 9 (29.0%) at the last follow-up after surgery (Table 1). Preoperative limitation of movement in the neck was 10° to 25° in 18 (58.0%) patients and above 25° in 13 (42.0%), which was improved to 10° to 25° in 7 (22.6%) patients and below 10° in 24 (77.4%) after surgery. The preoperative mean score of neck movement was 0.6±0.5 (range, 0–1), which was improved to 1.8±0.4 (range, 1–2). Preoperative head tilt was mild in 8 (16.1%) patients, moderate in 18 (25.8%), and severe in 8 (58.1%). Postoperative head tilt was rated as none in 25 (80.6%) patients and mild in 3 (19.4%). The preoperative mean score of head tilt of 1.4±0.8 (range, 0–2) was improved to a mean of head tilt of 2.8±0.4 (range, 2–3). These improvements in neck movement and head tilt were statistically significant (p<0.05).

The appearance of scarring was fine in 22 (71.0%) patients, slight in 7 (22.6%), and moderate in 2 (6.4%). Loss of column was rated as none in 24 (77.4%) patients, slight in 7 (22.6%), and obvious but cosmetically acceptable in 1 (3.2%). The presence of a lateral band was rated as none in 13 (41.9%) patients, slight in 17 (54.9%), and obvious but cosmetically acceptable in 1 (3.2%). The preoperative mean CMA was 15.4° (range, 5.4–29.0), which was reduced to a mean of CMA of 6.3° (range, 0–25) after surgery (p<0.05). The correlation between clinical head tilt and radiological CMA before and after surgery reflected a fair degree of relationship, with a correlation coefficient of 0.450. The global satisfaction rating score using patient self-reporting was 93.7% (range, 90–100). A transient sensory deficit on the ipsilateral lower ear lobe was noted in three cases. The sensory problem dissipated nearly completely in three months. No wound infection, hematoma, or recurrence requiring surgery was encountered. No significant permanent complications occurred in any of the patients.

Controversy still remains regarding the timing and the method of surgical correction of CMT, and the best surgical technique in adult patients (Table 3). The age of the patient is a major factor in the treatment of CMT. Manual stretching exercise was effective in about 95% of patients who were first seen before the age of 1 year4,5); however, CMT did not resolve spontaneously after 1 year of age6,10). Facial bone asymmetry started to appear after 5 years of age23). Any facial asymmetry could be prevented by surgery during early childhood, especially at 1 to 4 years of age, but the facial cosmetic result was unsatisfactory after surgery at over 6 years of age2,16). In contrast, other observations22) found no difference in recovery of craniofacial asymmetry between a younger group (1 to 4 years old) and an older group (5 to 16 years old). And Ling16) reported that patients above the age of 5 years more commonly encountered late complications, like loss of the sternomastoid column, disfiguring scars, and the presence of lateral bands.

The most popular surgical treatment for CMT consists of unipolar (distal) or bipolar (proximal and distal) release of the SCM. The extent of tightness of the SCM determines the choice of unipolar or bipolar release. The former is viewed as appropriate for early childhood and mild deformity, the latter may be indicated for older patients and more severe deformity10,14). Chen and Ko3) recommended bipolar release as the treatment of choice for CMT in patients older than 6 years, whereas other authors17) preferred to perform a distal release for patients older than 6 years. Lim et al.15) reported that the site of release was determined intra-operatively, with bipolar release undertaken when manipulation could not give adequate correction after unipolar release, in order to reduce surgical morbidity in older children and adults. The rate of recurrence was almost 7% after distal release, while low 2 to 2.9% rate of recurrence was after bipolar release4,25). Ferkel et al.8) described a modified bipolar release and Z-plasty, which can preserve the normal contour of the muscle in the neck; the clavicular head was released completely while the sternal head was lengthened by Z-plasty. This approach is especially helpful to avoid sunken appearance of the distal end of the SCM10). Patwardhan et al.20) reported that bipolar release with Z-plasty in 12 adults with CMT preserved the neck line, but intraoperative estimation of the extent of lengthening was difficult. According to the Modified Lee scoring system, six patients had excellent results, two had good results and four had fair results. Some others3) bipolar release with Z-plasty indicate higher risk of more tethering or insufficient release of fibrous bands when compared to bipolar release without Z-plasty. In the earlier study of bipolar release without Z-plasty, with meticulous repair of the platysma and soft tissues, loss of the neck column was not cosmetic problem3,19).

We found excellent results in 12.9% of patients, good results in 58.1%, and fair in 29.0% in this report. Neither significant complications nor recurrences were encountered. These results are similar to those of a few authors who have reported benefits in the form of both cosmetic and functional improvements in the neck without serious complications after surgery in adult CMT patients9,18,19). In the present study, a bipolar release without Z-plasty gave satisfactory results in the neck contour, with no loss of the lateral column of the muscle and with sufficient release of the lateral fibrous bands in most patients with meticulous repair of the platysma. Therefore, for adult CMT patients, we believe that a bipolar release without Z-plasty is less complicated and a simpler surgical treatment than bipolar release with Z-plasty.

Bipolar release of CMT in most adults treated in this study improved the head tilt and underlying secondary cervical spinal changes, similar to previous work9,15,18,19). No disturbance was incurred by changing the deformed head position, even in a 58-year-old woman with severely uncorrected CMT11) (Fig. 3). The adult patients adapted well to the new position of their necks. Their quality of life has improved dramatically since the operation, even in patients with irreversible craniofacial asymmetry. The high satisfaction rate above 90% obtained in this study is thought to reflect the good cosmetic benefit related to the head tilt and tight lateral band of the congenital disease through a relatively simple surgical release. The present result corresponds well with the earlier studies on children14), which suggested that complete release of an abnormal tight fibrous band, even in adult patients with uncorrected CMT, is of critical importance.

Bipolar release of the SCM should be performed with caution to avoid injury the following major nerves and vessels: the facial and accessory nerves, internal and external jugular veins, and carotid artery1,24,25). In this study, post-operative pain and hypesthesia were major complaints. A transient sensory deficit was noted on the inferior part of ipsilateral ear lobe in three cases, but this dissipated nearly completely in 3 months. During proximal release, this was caused by injury to the posterior and intermediate branches of the great auricular nerve supplying the skin over the mastoid process and on the back of the auricle21). Post-operative pain was markedly alleviated rapidly 3 days after surgery, resulting in a shortened hospital stay within 5 days after surgery and an earlier return to daily life activity in our patients.

Although a cast or halo-vest, cervical traction, and immobilization under overcorrected position were suggested for adult patients9,15,18), we found that a more comfortable soft neck collar with early intermittent stretching exercise was sufficient to establish a neutral position of neck, in agreement with previous studies1,3,20).

This study showed a statistically significant improvement of neck movement, head tilt, and lateral banding in most adult patients with CMT treated with bipolar release of the SCM. The patients were very satisfied with the functional and cosmetic results in the neck, even if their craniofacial asymmetry was unchanged, and none experienced any serious neurologic or spinal complications. Bipolar release of the SCM is therefore a safe and effective technique for the treatment of CMT in adults.