Botox Put to Innovative Uses in Facial Surgery

LAS VEGAS — The use of botulinum toxin type A in a dermatologic surgical practice extends far beyond touching up the results of a brow lift or smoothing crow's feet to complement a facial laser procedure.

Surgeons speaking at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery said that they have incorporated botulinum toxin type A (Botox) into many facets of their practice, from stabilizing healing tissue to treating fellow surgeons' sweaty palms.

"Botox is a great adjunct to surgery," said Dr. Steven Dayan, a facial, plastic, and reconstructive surgeon and otolaryngologist in Chicago.

Dr. Dayan injects every patient undergoing a forehead lift with Botox to immobilize the frontalis muscle and prevent scars from being pulled apart. "It helps quite a bit in closing these scars and keeping the area splinted," he said.

Dr. Joel Cohen, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in Denver, uses the same immobilizing effect of Botox to hold tissue in place following extensive Mohs cases of the face.

If a nerve is weakened during surgery, Botox can restore symmetry of the face, said Dr. Dayan. He uses it to smooth platysmal bands that remain following a neck lift, to rotate the nasal tip upward when it has become elongated with age, and to raise the corners of the mouth.

He's even used it on surgeons' hands—once they've signed explicit informed-consent agreements—to reduce perspiration in their surgical gloves.

Despite the risks, some surgeons are so concerned that their hands become slippery in their gloves during procedures that they are more than willing to undergo Botox injections, Dr. Dayan said.

LAS VEGAS — The use of botulinum toxin type A in a dermatologic surgical practice extends far beyond touching up the results of a brow lift or smoothing crow's feet to complement a facial laser procedure.

Surgeons speaking at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery said that they have incorporated botulinum toxin type A (Botox) into many facets of their practice, from stabilizing healing tissue to treating fellow surgeons' sweaty palms.

"Botox is a great adjunct to surgery," said Dr. Steven Dayan, a facial, plastic, and reconstructive surgeon and otolaryngologist in Chicago.

Dr. Dayan injects every patient undergoing a forehead lift with Botox to immobilize the frontalis muscle and prevent scars from being pulled apart. "It helps quite a bit in closing these scars and keeping the area splinted," he said.

Dr. Joel Cohen, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in Denver, uses the same immobilizing effect of Botox to hold tissue in place following extensive Mohs cases of the face.

If a nerve is weakened during surgery, Botox can restore symmetry of the face, said Dr. Dayan. He uses it to smooth platysmal bands that remain following a neck lift, to rotate the nasal tip upward when it has become elongated with age, and to raise the corners of the mouth.

He's even used it on surgeons' hands—once they've signed explicit informed-consent agreements—to reduce perspiration in their surgical gloves.

Despite the risks, some surgeons are so concerned that their hands become slippery in their gloves during procedures that they are more than willing to undergo Botox injections, Dr. Dayan said.

LAS VEGAS — The use of botulinum toxin type A in a dermatologic surgical practice extends far beyond touching up the results of a brow lift or smoothing crow's feet to complement a facial laser procedure.

Surgeons speaking at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery said that they have incorporated botulinum toxin type A (Botox) into many facets of their practice, from stabilizing healing tissue to treating fellow surgeons' sweaty palms.

"Botox is a great adjunct to surgery," said Dr. Steven Dayan, a facial, plastic, and reconstructive surgeon and otolaryngologist in Chicago.

Dr. Dayan injects every patient undergoing a forehead lift with Botox to immobilize the frontalis muscle and prevent scars from being pulled apart. "It helps quite a bit in closing these scars and keeping the area splinted," he said.

Dr. Joel Cohen, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in Denver, uses the same immobilizing effect of Botox to hold tissue in place following extensive Mohs cases of the face.

If a nerve is weakened during surgery, Botox can restore symmetry of the face, said Dr. Dayan. He uses it to smooth platysmal bands that remain following a neck lift, to rotate the nasal tip upward when it has become elongated with age, and to raise the corners of the mouth.

He's even used it on surgeons' hands—once they've signed explicit informed-consent agreements—to reduce perspiration in their surgical gloves.

Despite the risks, some surgeons are so concerned that their hands become slippery in their gloves during procedures that they are more than willing to undergo Botox injections, Dr. Dayan said.