Comparison of clinical efficacy between radiofrequency ablation and botulinum toxin type A in treatment of benign masseter hypertrophy

Abstract

Objective To evaluate masseter thickness and its complications of radiofrequency ablation and botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of masseter hypertrophy. Methods Totally 36 patients of benign masseter hypertrophy were randomly divided into radiofrequency ablation therapy group (18 patients) and the injection of botulinum toxin type A treatment group (18 patients). The thickness of the masseter and complications were analyzed before treatment, 6 months and 12 months after treatment. Results The average thickness of masseter muscle in botulinum toxin type A and radiofrequency ablation groups was significantly reduced 6 or 12 months after treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P0.05). However, the thickness of masseter muscle in radiofrequency ablation group after 12 months reduced greater than that in botulinum toxin type A group (P0.05). Complications of botulinum toxin type A group were swallow difficulty (one patient), unnatural facial expressions (4 patients) and pain at injection site (10 patients) and that in radiofrequency ablation treatment group were that 18 patients had swelling of the skin 1 to 2 weeks after treatment. All patients had recovery 2 weeks after treatment. There was no facial nerve, parotid duct injury, or oral dysfunction. Conclusions The lasting effect of radiofrequency ablation treatment for benign masseter hypertrophy is longer than that of botulinum toxin type A. Key words: Benign masseter hypertrophy; botulinum toxin type A; radiofrequency ablation