Use of botulinum toxin in cheiloplasty: A new method to decrease tension.

OBJECTIVE To determine if the use of botulinum toxin during cheiloplasty could help in the management of tension at the surgical wound level. INTERVENTIONS Five children younger than six months of age, who were born with complete cleft lip and palate, were treated with a dose of 10 units of botulinum toxin injected into the upper lip during surgery. Before the surgery, an electromyographic study was carried out on the patients' upper lips. A Millard-type cheiloplasty was performed and 10 days later, a second electromyographic study was performed on the upper lips of all the patients. RESULTS There was a significant change (P<0.039) in the electromyographic tracing obtained after the application of botulinum toxin, especially during rest. CONCLUSION As confirmed by electromyography, botulinum toxin effectively inhibits the action of the orbicularis oris muscle, especially when at rest; consequently, the tension is decreased at the level of the surgical wound.