Published : 21 October 2026

Congenital Muscular Torticollis Treated with Unipolar Release: A Case Report

  • Tan Margaretha Heidina Handoko
  • Gina Yunita Joice Sitorus

Volume 13, Issue 2, (2026) Jurnal Plastik Rekonstruksi | Pages : 71-77

DOI: 10.14228/jprjournal.v13i2.38   Reader : 0 times PDF Download : 0 times

Abstract

Introduction: CMT is a commonly found deformity of the neck that involves sternocleidomastoid muscle shortening that causes head tilt. Most cases respond well to early conservative treatment in infancy, but in cases of older patients mostly requires surgery. Data of CMT in older patients are not much, therefore, the optimal surgical treatment for these groups of patients is controversial.

Method: This study was a retrospective case of a 9-year-old patient with CMT underwent unipolar release of the SCM done in 2023. Case report based on the medical and surgical records.

Results: Four months following unipolar release of the SCM and post-surgery treatment using cervical collar, we noticed a lot of improvements of the patient’s neck range of motion and also the head tilt. Cosmetic result of the scar was also satisfactory.

Conclusion: CMT is a frequent clinical condition but it is often underdiagnosed, and referred for evaluation at later stage. Early diagnosis and interventions are critical so that complete and rapid resolution may be achieved. However, if surgery is needed, unipolar tenotomy of the distal SCM may be a good option that gives good results in uncomplicated cases of CMT alongside adequate post-operative treatments including cast and physiotherapy.

Data Availability

All data generated during this study are included in this published article [and its supplementary information files].

References

  1. 1. Kamboh UA, Ashraf M, Zahra SG, Raza MA, Manzoor M, Mehboob M, et al. Outcome of surgical treatment for neglected congenital muscular torticollis: A series of 28 adolescent patients. Surg Neurol Int. 2022;13(292).
  2. 2. Chang SH, Ohtori S, Okawa A, Kawamura K, Saiki H, Nakada I, et al. A Surgical Treatment for Adult Muscular Torticollis. Case Rep Orthop. 2013;2013(Figure 1):1–3.
  3. 3. Lee GS, Lee MK, Kim WJ, Kim HS, Kim JH, Kim YS. Adult patients with congenital muscular torticollis treated with bipolar release: Report of 31 cases. J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2017;60(1):82–8.
  4. 4. Akazawa H, Nakatsuka Y, Miyake Y, Takahashi Y. Congenital muscular torticollis: long-term follow-up of thirty-eight partial resections of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 1993;112(5):205–9.
  5. 5. Tomczak KK, Rosman NP. Torticollis. J Child Neurol. 2013;28(3):365–78.
  6. 6. Amemiya M, Kikkawa I, Watanabe H, Hoshino Y. Outcome of treatment for congenital muscular torticollis: A study on ages for treatment, treatment methods, and postoperative therapy. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2009;19(5):303–7.
  7. 7. Chen CE, Ko JY. Surgical treatment of muscular torticollis for patients above 6 years of age. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2000;120(3–4):149–51.
  8. 8. Minamitani K, Inoue A, Okuno T. Results of surgical treatment of muscular torticollis for patients >6 years of age. Vol. 10, Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. 1990. p. 754–9.
  9. 9. Lim KS, Shim JS, Lee YS. Is sternocleidomastoid muscle release effective in adults with neglected congenital muscular torticollis? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2014;472(4):1271–8.
PDF

Keywords

  • torticollis
  • congenital muscular torticollis
  • unipolar release
  • treatment
  • surgery
  • tenotomy

Author Information

Tan Margaretha Heidina Handoko

RSUP Dr. Kariadi, Indonesia.

Email: maggiehandoko@yahoo.com

ORCID : https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7520-5901

Gina Yunita Joice Sitorus

Plastic Surgeon, Division of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Dr Kariadi Central-General Hospital, Semarang, Indonesia.

Email: gina.yjs@gmail.com

ORCID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4933-4963

Article History

Submitted : 15 June 2025
Revised : 15 June 2025
Published : 21 October 2026

How to Cite This

Handoko, T. M. H., & Sitorus, G. Y. J. (2026). Congenital Muscular Torticollis Treated with Unipolar Release: A Case Report. Jurnal Plastik Rekonstruksi, 13(2), 71–77. https://doi.org/10.14228/jprjournal.v13i2.38

Crossmark and Dimension

Verify authenticity via CrossMark

Share This Article

Copyright & License

Authors retain the copyright of the article and grant Jurnal Plastik Rekonstruksi the right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. Articles opting for open access will be immediately available and permanently free for everyone to read, download and share from the time of publication.

This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Open Access Statement

Jurnal Plastik Rekonstruksi is an open access journal. This journal provides immediate open access to every article on the principle that making research freely accessible to the public; It supports a greater global exchange of knowledge; and an invaluable way to boost the visibility and impact of research.

This also means that Jurnal Plastik Rekonstruksi it's free availability on the public Internet, permitting any users to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of these articles, crawl them for indexing, pass them as data to software, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without financial, legal, or technical barriers other than that inseparable from gaining access to the Internet itself.

Journal Info

Profile Image
Editor-in-Chief: dr. Mohamad Rachadian Ramadan, B.Med.Sci, Sp.B.P.R.E., SubSp.M.O.(K), MRBS
Frequency: 2 issues per year (March & September)
National Accreditation: Sinta 3
Email: info@jprjournal.com

Video Article

Multistages Aesthetic Refinement Post Anterolateral Thigh Free Flap in Head and Neck Reconstruction

Atmodiwirjo P, Ramadan MR, Triatmoko SE, Arina MN. Multistages Aesthetic Refinement Post Anterolateral Thigh Free Flap in Head and Neck Reconstruction. J Plast Rekons 2020;7(1):38-42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14228/jpr.v7i1.298

How to Harvest The Radial Forearm Free Flap

Atmodiwirjo P, Ramadan MR, Triatmoko SE, Ralena NA. How to Harvest Radial Forearm Free Flap. J Plast Rekons 2020;7(1):7-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14228/jpr.v7i1.296  

ACCREDITATION

Since October 2020, Jurnal Plastik Rekonstruksi has received Accreditation from the Ministry of Technology Research / National Research and Innovation Agency (SINTA 3)

https://sinta.ristekbrin.go.id/journals/detail?id=2054

Indexed by:

   

.    

custom_header

ISSN : 2089-6492
Online ISSN : 2089-9734
Publisher: The Lingkar Studi Bedah Plastik Foundation and is the official journal of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Residency Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia.

Current Issue