Botulinum toxin type A (BTA)
injections into the subjacent orbicularis oris muscle have been shown to improve appearance and produce narrower cheiloplasty
scars. This study was performed to determine the effect of BTA injected at different sites on the unilateral
cleft lip scar and cleft side nostril width. A double-blind, randomized prospective trial was conducted involving 64 consecutive patients with unilateral
cleft lip undergoing primary cheiloplasty between September 2016 and January 2019. The patients were randomized to receive BTA
injections either into the subjacent orbicularis oris muscle (4 points group) or into the bilateral nasolabial fold region (6 points group) during cheiloplasty. The
scars were assessed by photographic
scar width measurements and Vancouver
scar scale assessment tool. The cleft side nostril width was compared to the non-cleft side width. Fifty-six patients completed the trial, 24 in the 4 points group and 31 in the 6 points group. There was no significant difference in
scar width or nostril width measurements between the groups at the end of follow-up. The Vancouver
scar scale assessment was also similar between the groups. There was no significant difference in
scar width or nostril width measurements after
cleft lip repair between patients treated with
botulinum toxin injections to the subjacent orbicularis oris muscle and patients treated with
injections in the nasolabial region.