Surgical correction of the facial deformities secondary to untreated congenital muscular torticollis.

The facial asymmetry which develops in association with untreated congenital muscular torticollis is principally the result of a subcranial torsional rotation of the face toward the affected side. Principles of management are therefore to firstly release the sternomastoid muscle and achieve maximal improvement in head posture, followed by surgical straightening of the face by bimaxillary surgery and septorhinoplasty. The results of this approach in three patients are discussed and illustrated.