Summary
Background
Treatment options for muscle spasm complications of the pectoralis major (PM) flap
in head and neck reconstruction have hardly been investigated. The authors report
their experience using botulinum toxin (BTX-A) injections as a treatment of PM flap
myospasm complications in head and neck reconstruction.
Methods
From January 2005 to May 2009, 83 patients underwent PM flap reconstruction. Eleven
of them reported muscle twitching as a post-operative complication and are therefore
included in this study. As all 11 patients refused a second surgery, they were offered
BTX-A injections. This group of patients was followed up at regular intervals with
clinical examinations, digital photography, range of motion (ROM) of the neck in different
vectors, and neck disability system (NDS) questionnaires.
Results
After the first BTX-A infiltration, muscle twitching decreased, the ROM values increased
and, according to the NDS, patients’ discomfort progressively decreased. Only two
of the 11 patients required two additional BTX-A sessions.
Conclusion
BTX-A infiltration is an effective non-invasive procedure that significantly reduces
the PM muscular contraction in head and neck reconstruction.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 10, 2011
Accepted:
October 4,
2011
Received:
April 14,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
