Botulinum Toxin A for Oral Cavity Cancer Patients: In Microsurgical Patients BTX Injections in Major Salivary Glands Temporarily Reduce Salivary Production and the Risk of Local Complications Related to Saliva Stagnation

In patients suffering from oral cavity cancer surgical treatment is complex because it is necessary to remove carcinoma and lymph node metastasis (through a radical unilateral or bilateral neck dissection) and to reconstruct the affected area by means of free flaps. The saliva stagnation in the post-operative period is a risk factor with regard to local complications. Minor complications related to saliva stagnation (such as tissue maceration and wound dehiscence) could become major complications compromising the surgery or the reconstructive outcome. In fact the formation of oro-cutaneous fistula may cause infection, failure of the free flap, or the patient’s death with carotid blow-out syndrome. Botulinum injections in the major salivary glands, four days before surgery, temporarily reduces salivation during the healing stage and thus could reduce the incidence of saliva-related complications. Forty three patients with oral cancer were treated with botulinum toxin A. The saliva quantitative measurement and the sialoscintigraphy were performed before and after infiltrations of botulinum toxin in the major salivary glands. In all cases there was a considerable, but temporary, reduction of salivary secretion. A lower rate of local complications was observed in the post-operative period. The salivary production returned to normal within two months, with minimal side effects and discomfort for the patients. The temporary inhibition of salivary secretion in the post-operative period could enable a reduction in saliva-related local complications, in the incidence of oro-cutaneous fistulas, and improve the outcome of the surgery as well as the quality of residual life in these patients.     

Infant botulism: Two case reports and electroneuromyogram findings

Botulism is an uncommon severe neuromuscular disorder. We report two recent cases of confirmed infant botulism diagnosed in an 11-week and a 5-month-old infant along with electroneuromyogram (ENMG) findings. Then, we discuss the EMG features of infant botulism. In severe forms of infant botulism, presence of these features might help decide to use botulinum immune globulin. To our knowledge, case 1 is the first case reported in France based on confirmed dust contamination.     

Identification of the neural component of torque during manually-applied spasticity assessments in children with cerebral palsy

Clinical assessment of spasticity is compromised by the difficulty to distinguish neural from non-neural components of increased joint torque. Quantifying the contributions of each of these components is crucial to optimize the selection of anti-spasticity treatments such as botulinum toxin (BTX). The aim of this study was to compare different biomechanical parameters that quantify the neural contribution to ankle joint torque measured during manually-applied passive stretches to the gastrocsoleus in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). The gastrocsoleus of 53 children with CP (10.9 ± 3.7 y; females n = 14; bilateral/unilateral involvement n = 28/25; Gross Motor Functional Classification Score I–IV) and 10 age-matched typically developing (TD) children were assessed using a manually-applied, instrumented spasticity assessment. Joint angle characteristics, root mean square electromyography and joint torque were simultaneously recorded during passive stretches at increasing velocities. From the CP cohort, 10 muscles were re-assessed for between-session reliability and 19 muscles were re-assessed 6 weeks post-BTX. A parameter related to mechanical work, containing both neural and non-neural components, was compared to newly developed parameters that were based on the modeling of passive stiffness and viscosity. The difference between modeled and measured response provided a quantification of the neural component. Both types of parameters were reliable (ICC > 0.95) and distinguished TD from spastic muscles (p < 0.001). However, only the newly developed parameters significantly decreased post-BTX (p = 0.012). Identifying the neural and non-neural contributions to increased joint torque allows for the development of individually tailored tone management.     

Beneficial effect of botulinum toxin A on secondary ischaemic injury of skin flaps in rats

Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) protects against primary ischaemia of skin flaps, but its effect on secondary ischaemia is unknown. We induced secondary arterial or venous ischaemia in skin flaps of 32 Wistar rats, and tested the effectiveness of BTX injected subcutaneously 12 hours before the flap was raised. The animals were divided into two groups of 16 (arterial or venous). Eight animals in each group were then treated with saline 1 ml (control), and eight with BTX-A 5 IU (treatment). Ischaemia and necrosis were assessed after five days. There was no significant difference in necrosis between the two treatments in either group, but the amount of ischaemia did differ significantly (p = 0.031 in the artetial ishcemia and p = 0.015 in the venous ischemia group). BTX helped to salvage poor reperfusion in secondary ischaemia of skin flaps.     

A型肉毒素内括约肌侧方注射+病灶扇形小切口切扩引流术治疗Ⅱ、Ⅲ期肛裂的临床研究

目的评价A型肉毒素内括约肌侧方注射+病灶扇形小切口切扩引流术治疗Ⅱ、Ⅲ期肛裂的安全性和有效性,探索其手术操作步骤及要点,介绍一种治疗肛裂的新手术方式。方法采用随机、平行、对照的临床试验方法,将纳入病例随机分为试验组和对照组,试验组行A型肉毒素内括约肌侧方注射+病灶扇形小切口切扩引流术,对照组行肛裂切除扩创术加部分内括约肌侧方切断术。将2组安全性指标(包括肛门狭窄、肛门失禁、急性尿潴留、术后疼痛的发生及直肠肛管测压结果)和有效性指标(包括痊愈率、手术时间、切口创面愈合时间、切口愈合分级、切口愈合后瘢痕面积大小)进行比较。结果 2组均无肛门狭窄和急性尿潴留发生;对照组肛门失禁评分高于试验组,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。试验组术后(术后24 h、术后第1次排便及术后1周)疼痛评分明显低于对照组(P<0.01)。术前、术后直肠肛管测压结果 2组间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。试验组痊愈率高于对照组(P<0.05),手术时间及切口创面愈合时间均明显短于对照组(P<0.01),切口愈合优于对照组(P<0.05),切口愈合后瘢痕面积小于对照组(P<0.01)。结论 A型肉毒素内括约肌侧方注射+病灶扇形小切口切扩引流术具有治愈率高、切口愈合时间短、切口愈合后瘢痕面积小、操作快捷、手术微创化等优点;且在肛门外形和功能保护方面优于对照组,本术式具有较好的临床疗效和安全性。