Treating Scars of the Chin and Perioral Region

Evaluation of the efficiency and safety of botulinum toxin A injection on improving facial scars: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Botulinum toxin A injection is an established method of treatment. Clinical practitioners use it widely in their practice to prevent the occurrence of facial scars. However, the effectiveness and safeness of has not been comprehensively established. The objective of the current systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using botulinum toxin A injection to improve facial scars.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This systematic review involves browsing a number of electronic databases to search for related articles. The search will include databases in both English (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Spocus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and Chinese (WanFang database, China Nation Knowledge Infrastructure, and VIP database), the periods of searching will be from inception till the 15th of September 2020. Completing the search in databases allows to consider randomized controlled studies that compares botulinum toxin A interventions to any comparison interventions in those who have facial scars. The review will be inclusive of papers in both languages, English and Chinese. The independent screening of studies for eligibility is conducted by 2 independent authors. Discussion was used to resolve discrepancies between the authors. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool V.2.0 is adopted for evaluating the methodological quality of each study. Data extraction was performed by 2 independent authors. For dichotomous outcomes, the were expressed as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). For continuous outcomes the results were expressed as the mean difference (MD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% CI. The statistical analysis of the present study is carried out in RevMan 5.3 software.

RESULTS

This study will output a comprehensive synthesis of existing evidence in relation to botulinum toxin A. Moreover, the results will also provide an interpretation of the effectiveness and safety of botulinum toxin A.

CONCLUSION

The present review contributes to the existing body of knowledge by adding more evidence to evaluate if botulinum toxin A is effective and safe to be used as an intervention for improving facial scars.

OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER

DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/94TXP (https://osf.io/94TXP/).

Paradigms in Complex Facial Scar Management

The process of scar formation is a sequela of the healing following soft tissue injury extending to, or through, the reticular dermis. Scars, within the head and neck in particular, may be physically disfiguring with resultant psychosocial implications. Mitigation of excessive scar formation during the healing process following surgery, or in the setting of trauma, begins with meticulous soft tissue handling and reconstructive technique. The reconstructive surgeon's armamentarium must therefore include techniques that minimize initial scar formation and revision techniques that address unfavorable outcomes. With this in mind, this article reviews both conservative nonsurgical and surgical treatment modalities that mitigate scar formation or address mature scar formation.

Financial Transactions from Manufacturers to Otolaryngologists in 2018

OBJECTIVE

To characterize in depth non-research and research payments from industry to otolaryngologists in 2018 with an emphasis on product types.

METHODS

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Open Payments program was used for data collection: payment amount, the nature of payments, products associated with the payments, date of the payments, and companies making the payments were studied. Products associated with the payments were classified by categorical type. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

There were 70,172 payments for a total of $11,001,875 made to otolaryngologists in 2018 with a median payment of $19. Food and beverage had the highest number of payments made (89.96%). Consulting fees (33.46%) composed the highest total payment amount. The two companies that contributed the highest amount were Stryker Corporation and Intersect ENT Inc. Sinus conditions had the most products within the top 25 products associated with payments. The top five products with the highest payments received were for balloon sinus dilation, nasal spray, sinus implant, Botox, and cochlear implant. There was a bimodal payment distribution demonstrating a higher number of payments made in the spring and fall.

CONCLUSION

Our study is the first to review payments to otolaryngologists in 2018 and classify these payments into product types. The products and companies that contributed the highest payments were associated with sinus conditions. The products that dominated in each subspecialty of otolaryngology coincide with clinical practice trends and emerging technologies.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E388-E394, 2021.