Botulinum Toxin and Burn Induces Contracture

Abstract

Scar formation is one of the physiological processes of wound healing in the deepest part of the damaged dermis [[1]]. Hypertrophic scars and keloids are formed as the muscles pull the edges of a wound while the collagen fibers of the skin are still immature [[2]]. Temporarily paralyzing the muscles around the wound with botulinum toxin is one of the newer methods used during the process of reconstructive surgery [[2]]. Botulinum toxin directly inhibits fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation in vitro, and it is indicated for its potential use in the treatment of wounds after trauma, burn, or surgery [[3]]. However, based on the available information, it is difficult to predict the therapeutic response of scars to botulinum, and more studies are needed before this method can become a standard therapy. We studied the effectiveness of a botulinum toxin injection in the recovery rate of contractures, which was burn induced and did not recovery acceptably by the surgical reconstruction of scars.