In a new study published in Facial Plastic Surgery, it has been proposed that botulinum toxin can be used alongside septorhinoplasty procedures to help correct the appearance of a crooked nose.
The newly introduced Nasal Muscle Imbalance Theory (NMIT) hypothesises that following septorhinoplasty, the septum is liable to deviate back to a pre-operative position as the surgical procedure does not alter the long-standing muscle imbalance, and the nose can be pulled back into a crooked position through muscle contractions.
The researchers concluded, ‘We believe that post-septorhinoplasty botulinum toxin (PSB) injections can be used as an adjunct in rhinoplasty surgery to effectively block the pulling actions of the stronger or over-acting nasal muscles by speeding up the atrophy process, while allowing patients’ noses to heal and stabilise in the desired position.’
The authors acknowledge that further research and case studies are required to substantiate their hypothesis, and have already planned another multi-centre study.
