Soft tissue augmentation 2006: filler fantasy.

As an increasing number of patients seek esthetic improvement through minimally invasive procedures, interest in soft tissue augmentation and filling agents is at an all-time high. One reason for this interest is the availability of botulinum toxin type A, which works superbly in the upper face. The rejuvenation of the upper face has created much interest in injectable filling agents and implant techniques that work equally well in the restoration of the lower face.

A quality rating scale for aesthetic surgical procedures.

Background: Cosmetic dermatologic procedures offer the promise of visible aesthetic enhancement with minimal risk. While in recent years the number of available procedures has proliferated, there are few objective methods for evaluating the relative quality of these procedures for particular indications or specific patients.

Objective: (A) To develop a simple, easy-to-use numerical rating scale to assess the quality of cosmetic surgical procedures on a range of parameters pertaining to clinical efficacy and patient satisfaction; (B) to statistically validate the discriminative value of this rating scale.

Contraindications and complications with the use of botulinum toxin.

Cosmetic use of BTX has skyrocketed in recent years, especially since the approval of BTX-A for treatment of glabellar lines. Complications and adverse reactions can easily arise, particularly for the novice injector. This paper provides insights from an experienced physician on how to avoid these complications, and how to treat them when and if they occur.

The therapeutic potential of botulinum toxin.

Background: Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A; commercial preparation BOTOX) is most well known for its effect on muscle contraction because of the BTX binding to the presynaptic nerve terminal, inhibiting the release of acetylcholine (ACH). The therapeutic benefit of BTX-A, however, can also be isolated to pain relief alone, suggesting that BTX-A also works through additional modes of action.

Objective: This article provides insight by an experienced physician into four different case reports.

Complications and adverse reactions with the use of botulinum toxin.

Botulinum toxins are the causative agents of the severe food-borne illness botulism. With lethal doses approximating 10(-9) g/kg body weight, these neurotoxins represent some of the most toxic naturally occurring substances. Regardless, botulinum toxin is considered a safe therapy for inappropriate muscle spasms with adverse effects being typically self-limited.