Prognostic Factors in Recurrent Congenital Muscular Torticollis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Pediatric Surgery
• Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background:

• Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) involves sternocleidomastoid muscle shortening.
• Recurrent deformity is a known surgical complication of CMT.
• Factors influencing CMT recurrence post-surgery remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate factors associated with recurrent deformity after surgical release for congenital muscular torticollis.
• To compare recurrence rates between unipolar and bipolar release techniques.
• To assess the impact of patient age on CMT recurrence.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 47 patients surgically treated for CMT between 2007-2015.
• Data collected included patient demographics, surgical technique (unipolar/bipolar release), age at surgery, and follow-up.
• Recurrence rates were analyzed against various surgical and demographic factors.

Main Results:

• Recurrence occurred in 11 of 47 patients (23.4%).
• Unipolar release had a higher recurrence rate (9/11) compared to bipolar release (2/11).
• No statistically significant association was found between sex, side of deformity, or age at surgery and recurrence; however, unipolar release showed a clinically significant higher recurrence risk.

Conclusions:

• Patient age, sex, and side of deformity were not significantly associated with recurrent deformity in CMT.
• Unipolar release demonstrated a nearly two-fold increase in recurrence risk compared to bipolar release, suggesting a potential clinical significance.