Tenotomie of the sternocleidomastoid muscle seems to be an operation without complications. This impression is confirmed by the majority of reports, most of which however deal with early follow-up results. The basis of this paper is a follow-up of 100 patients, 37 years postoperatively and a review of the literature. There were several avoidable inter- and postoperative complications. Unadequate treatment was one reason for poor results. Good alternative to the cast postoperatively were offered by physiotherapy or the Schanz cotton wool bandage. The use of a cast was followed in a few cases by reversible plexus damage and decubitus ulcers of the head. On the whole the longterm results after torticollis operations were good. Scars and slight recurrence did not disturb the patients seriously. There was no correlation between age at operation and asymmetry of the face.