Botulinum Toxin Type A and the Prevention of Hypertrophic Scars on the Maxillofacial Area and Neck: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of the meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficiency of therapeutic botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in the prevention of maxillofacial and neck scars.

METHODS AND FINDINGS:

Information came from the following electronic databases: Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE (time was ended by August 31, 2015) to retrieve RCTs evaluating the effect of the BTX-A for hypertrophic scar on the maxillofacial or neck. All languages were included as long as they met the inclusion criteria. Here the effects of BTX-A were evaluated by comparing the width of the scar, patient satisfaction, and the visual analysis scores (VAS), respectively. Pooled weighted mean differences (WMDs), pooled odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Nine RCTs covering a total of 539 patients were included. A statistically significant difference in scar width was identified between the BTX-A group and control group (non-BTX-A used) (WMD = -0.41, 95% CI = -0.68 to -0.14, P = 0.003). A statistically significant difference in patient satisfaction was observed between the BTX-A group and control group (OR = 25.76, 95% CI = 2.58 to 256.67, P = 0.006). And in patients regarding visual analysis scores (VAS), a statistically significant difference was also observed between the BTX-A group and control group (WMD = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.60, P < 0.00001).

CONCLUSIONS:

This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of the BTX-A and confirms that BTX-A is a suitable potential therapy for the prevention of hypertrophic scars in patients in the maxillofacial and neck areas.

• Authors: Dai-Zun Zhang, Xiao-Ya Liu, Wen-Lin Xiao, Yao-Xiang Xu
• Journal: PloS one (PLoS One) Vol. 11 Issue 3 Pg. e0151627 ( 2016) ISSN: 1932-6203 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26985661 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Botulinum Toxins, Type A

Topics

• Botulinum Toxins, Type A (therapeutic use)
• Cicatrix, Hypertrophic (prevention & control)
• Face
• Humans
• Neck
• Patient Satisfaction
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic