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A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis: Botulinum Toxin A Effect on Postoperative Facial Scar Prevention

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  • Non-Surgical Aesthetic
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Abstract

Background

Postoperative facial scarring can be a significant psychological burden for patients to carry after surgery, often resulting in prolonged mental health dysfunction. Currently, there is no established method to prevent facial scar formation; however, there are several methods to prevent facial scar hyperplasia and improve scar quality. Botulinum toxin A (BTA) has been widely used due to its properties of muscle paralysis and known success in plastic surgery and cosmetology. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of BTA in preventing postoperative facial scar hyperplasia and improving scar quality.

Methods

PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, web of science, and Cochrane libraries were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (published before May 2021) wherein BTA was used for the treatment of facial scars. The efficacy and safety of BTA were evaluated by the following scales: the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Observer Scar Assessment Scale (OSAS), Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS), and Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES); the BTA effect on scar width and complications was also assessed.

Results

Ten RCTs involving 114 cases were included. Through quantitative analysis, the BTA injection group had a higher VAS score, lower VSS score, lower OSAS score, and smaller scar width. However, no significant difference was noted in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis demonstrated that BTA can safely improve the appearance of postoperative facial scars by significantly inhibiting scar hyperplasia and improving scar quality.

Level of Evidence III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

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The named authors have no commercial interest and financial or material support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100144, China

    Shuai Yue

  2. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chengdu Badachu Medical Aesthetics Hospital, Chengdu, 610000, China

    Mengran Ju

  3. Department of Orthopedics, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, 1 Shuai Fu Yuan, Beijing, 100730, China

    Zhe Su

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  1. Shuai Yue
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Correspondence to Shuai Yue.

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Yue, S., Ju, M. & Su, Z. A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis: Botulinum Toxin A Effect on Postoperative Facial Scar Prevention. Aesth Plast Surg 46, 395–405 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-021-02596-7

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