title: SETT--subcutaneous endoscopic transaxillary tenotomy for congenital muscular torticollis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgical correction of the congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is recommended for patients with unsuccessful conservative treatment. Open operative techniques all leave noticeable scars. Tenotomy can be performed endoscopically. We proposed the modified endoscopic two-trocar transaxillary approach for the treatment of CMT.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have applied a technique of endoscopic release of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle in 5 pediatric patients. We performed the tunnelization of the space over the clavicular and sternal heads of the SCM muscle applied balloon inflation of the Foley catheter (Fr. 16). The sternal and clavicular attachments were dissected and divided by electrocautery hook.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An excellent result was found in all 5 patients. There were no complications to be seen. The neurovascular structures were preserved in all cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We believe that the subcutaneous endoscopic transaxcillary tenotomy procedure is a good method for the treatment of congenital muscular torticollis. This endoscopic technique avoids injury to the neurovascular structures and does not leave visible scars.
authors.affiliation: Department of Newborn Surgery, Municipal Pediatric Hospital, Irkutsk, Russia. yuriherz@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Yury
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kozlov
authors.forename: Andrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yakovlev
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Novogilov
authors.forename: Natalya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aleynikova
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yurkov
authors.forename: Vitaly
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kovalev
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Weber
mesh_terms: D001365:Axilla; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*; D014103:Torticollis / Q000151:congenital* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome