Language: Spanish
References: 0
Page: 25-28
PDF size: 39.47 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Background: Facial synkinesis is secondary to facial nerve palsy, which can be treated subcutaneously with low doses of botulinum toxin type A without adverse effects. Material and methods: This was an observational, longitudinal, and prospective study, with 16 patients with facial synkinesis treated with a low dose –from five to 12 IU (International Units) – of type A botulinum toxin. The effect was assessed by a five-point scale for facial synkinesis. The entire observational period was of 90 days, and the follow-up evaluations were performed at 7, 14, 30 and 90 days. Results: In the first evaluation, from the 16 patients, four of them had very mild synkinesis, eight patients presented mild synkinesis, and four individuals had moderate synkinesis. After the injection of botulinum toxin, the 16 patients improved their condition, and at the end of the study, they were situated at the level of mild and very mild synkinesis (P ‹ 0.05) without any adverse effects. The best results were observed between the days 7 and 14 after the toxin administration. This grade of improvement was steady until the final assessment, at 90 days of the beginning. Conclusion: A low dose of subcutaneous administration of botulinum toxin type A improved the condition of the patients suffering from facial synkinesis without having any kind of adverse effects.