This Article  • Full text  • PDF  • Reply to article  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Topic Collections  • Cosmetic Surgery/ Procedures  • Alert me on articles by topic

Jeffrey Ahn, MD; Corinne Horn, MD, MS; Andrew Blitzer, MD, DDS

Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2004;6:188-191.

Asian patients frequently seek aesthetic alteration of hypertrophic masseter muscles to reduce a prominent mandibular angle. Surgical reduction is common in Asia, but botulinum toxin offers a less invasive approach. This pilot study evaluated results of aesthetic lower face narrowing in 20 Asian patients. Initially, 25 U of botulinum toxin (5 U/0.1 mL) was injected at each inferior masseter border; an additional 25 U was injected per side as needed at 1-week intervals. Seven patients (35%) required only 1 injection; 10 (50%) required 2; and 3 (15%) required 3 injections. Maximum reduction was seen at 1 to 2 months; more prominent hypertrophy yielded the most impressive results. Maintenance reinjection took place at 6 to 8 months. Up to 12 months of follow-up is reviewed herein. Two patients (10%) complained of mild fatigue after vigorous chewing and 1 developed mild transient buccal weakness. Ninteen of 20 patients were satisfied.

From the Departments of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery of New York Presbyterian Hospital (Drs Ahn and Horn) and St Luke's-Roosevelt Medical Center (Dr Blitzer), New York, NY.