Botulinum A Toxin Injection as an Adjuvant Wintering Therapy in Patients with Raynaud's Syndrome |
Kyu Sang Cho, Jung Soo Yoon, Hee Chang Ahn |
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ahnhc@hanyang.ac.kr |
Received: 17 March 2019 • Revised: 12 June 2019 • Accepted: 10 July 2019 |
Abstract |
Purpose Patients with secondary Raynaud's syndrome experience severe pain and even ulceration of the fingertips, particularly during the winter season. The aim of this retrospective review was to evaluate whether botulinum A toxin injection before the winter season could prevent severe pain and complications in patients with secondary Raynaud's syndrome.
Methods Patients (n=10) were injected with botulinum A toxin (25 U) at 14 points on each hand. Sex, age, number of treatments, underlying diseases, pre- and post-injection pain intensity and frequency, satisfaction with the injection, and complications were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Results All patients had secondary Raynaud's syndrome and were female, with mean age of 50.1 years. All patients showed an improvement in pain intensity after the injection. The frequency of pain per week improved after the injection in seven patients and remained the same in three patients. The mean satisfaction rating was 7.0 out of 10 points. Eight patients were willing to reinject; however, two patients refused reinjection due to injectional pain. Two patients had temporary weakness of the hand. Seven patients showed an improvement in cyanosis. Nine patients showed an protectiv effects in fingertip ulcerations.
Conclusion Botulinum A toxin injection in patients with secondary Raynaud's syndrome before the winter season may provide substantial improvements in pain and ulceration, as the pain increases during the cold season. Furthermore, the protective effect of botulinum A toxin may also be helpful in preventing additional surgery. |
Key Words:
Raynaud disease, Peripheral vascular diseases, Botulinum toxins, type A, Vasoconstriction |
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