Treatment of pectoralis major flap myospasms with botulinum toxin type A in head and neck reconstruction

SummaryBackgroundTreatment options for muscle spasm complications of the pectoralis major (PM) flap in head and neck reconstruction have hardly been investigated. The authors report their experience using botulinum toxin (BTX-A) injections as a treatment of PM flap myospasm complications in head and neck reconstruction.MethodsFrom January 2005 to May 2009, 83 patients underwent PM flap reconstruction. Eleven of them reported muscle twitching as a post-operative complication and are therefore included in this study. As all 11 patients refused a second surgery, they were offered BTX-A injections. This group of patients was followed up at regular intervals with clinical examinations, digital photography, range of motion (ROM) of the neck in different vectors, and neck disability system (NDS) questionnaires.ResultsAfter the first BTX-A infiltration, muscle twitching decreased, the ROM values increased and, according to the NDS, patients’ discomfort progressively decreased. Only two of the 11 patients required two additional BTX-A sessions.ConclusionBTX-A infiltration is an effective non-invasive procedure that significantly reduces the PM muscular contraction in head and neck reconstruction.