Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The Use of Botox to Relieve Pain after Breast Plastic Surgery

One of my plastic surgery colleagues and friends from Loma Linda University, Dr. Allen Gabriel, recently conducted a study to determine whether the use of Botox could help alleviate the pain after undergoing a mastectomy (complete removal of the breast) and breast reconstruction in breast cancer patients.   The study showed that  patients who underwent Botox injections into the chest wall muscles after surgery were reportedly  more comfortable and experienced less pain post-operatively than those patients who only received saline injections.

Fast Facts about Botox and Breast Pain after Breast Reconstruction
  • Botox to reduce breast pain after breast reconstruction were injected onto the chest wall muscles (pectoralis major) prior to surgery
  • Randomized clinical study involving patients who underwent mastectomy and breast reconstruction with tissue expanders  showed that  those women who received Botox were far more comfortable after surgery than those who received placebo.
  • No significant difference in the use of narcotic, muscle relaxants, or anti-inflammatory drugs were observed in patients who received Botox and the placebo group in the first 3 days after surgery.
  • Patients who received Botox had less pain, and used significantly fewer doses of narcotics and muscle relaxants 7 to 45 days after surgery (P<0.05).
I recommend to ask one of your Houston Plastic Surgeons if they use Botox in their practice as an adjunct  to reduce post-operative pain after breast reconstruction with tissue expanders.


References:
Allen Gabriel.  International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) 20th Biennial Congress: Abstract 45. Presented August 17, 2010



Other articles related to BOTOX:
1) The Truth About Botox
3) BOTOX treatment for your Glabellar Frowns (Wrinkles in Between your Brows)
4) BOTOX Treatment for your Crow's Feet (Wrinkles Around the Eyes)

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