Evaluation of calcium alginate nasal packing (Algostéril) versus Polyvinyl acetal (Merocel) for nasal packing after inferior turbinate resection.

Nasal packing is commonly used to control postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing endonasal surgical procedures. Bleeding and pain on packing removal are frequently reported. The principal objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of Algosteril to control post-operative nasal bleeding. The secondary objective was to assess nasal bleeding and pain on packing removal, and to evaluate the endoscopic appearance of nasal mucosa 9 days after the procedure. This open, multicenter, randomized, controlled study was conducted on 50 patients undergoing partial bilateral inferior turbinectomy, packed with Algosteril on one side versus Polyvinyl acetal tampon (Merocel) on the other side following a left/right randomization. Both nasal packs effectively prevented post-operative bleeding. However, bleeding on packing removal was statistically less frequent and less severe with Algosteril than with Polyvinyl acetal (p = 0.016). In addition, pain was statistically lower with Algosteril than with Polyvinyl acetal (p = 0.0001). A trend to a better healing of the wound on day 9 was observed with Algosteril, leading us to further investigations. Algosteril nasal packing is as effective as Polyvinyl acetal in preventing postoperative bleeding following partial inferior turbinate resection. Its removal, however, is less traumatic for the nasal mucosa and less painful for the patient, therefore improving patient's comfort.

Botulinum toxin A in the treatment of glabellar lines: scheduling the next injection.

BACKGROUND: A single intramuscular treatment with botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) into the facial muscles underlying glabellar rhytids has been shown to effectively attenuate or totally erase these lines for at least 3 months. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the optimal time for a second injection of BoNT-A (Dysport, Ipsen). METHODS: One hundred patients with moderate to severe glabellar rhytids at rest were randomized to a first, double-blind injection of 50 U of BoNT-A (n = 50) divided into 5 intramuscular sites, or placebo (n = 50). At monthly intervals between Month 3 and Month 6, the patient and the investigator consensually decided to repeat the injection with open-label BoNT-A in both groups. The main outcome was the time between the first and second injections. Responder ratings (mild or no glabellar lines) after the first and second injections, patient satisfaction, and safety were also assessed. RESULTS: At Months 3 and 4 after the first injection, the cumulative percentage of patients having a second injection was lower in the BoNT-A group compared to the placebo group, with a significant difference at Month 4. Following the first double-blind injection, responder rates were significantly higher in BoNT-A group (up to 75%) compared to placebo up to Month 4, and a large majority of patients were significantly satisfied with the BoNT-A treatment at Month 4 (75% satisfied and completely satisfied versus 9.1% with placebo) and Month 5 (86.7% versus 0%, respectively). Headache was the most frequent adverse event in the BoNT-A group (10% versus 6% in the placebo group). No blepharoptosis was reported. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of 50 U of BoNT-A was confirmed for the treatment of glabellar lines. A second injection was sought within 3 to 4 months by most patients and investigators. Both injections were safe.

A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of efficacy and safety of 3 doses of botulinum toxin A in the treatment of glabellar lines.

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) is used to treat glabellar lines but the rigorous demonstration of its efficacy in a well-designed study had never been reported. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of 3 doses of BTX-A in the treatment of glabellar lines. METHODS: A total of 119 patients with moderate to severe glabellar lines at rest were treated with 25, 50, or 75 U of BTX-A (Dysport, Ipsen) or placebo divided into 5 intramuscular glabellar sites. Outcome measures included evaluations of glabellar lines by independent experts from blinded standardized photographs at rest 1 month after treatment, physician evaluations, and patient assessments during a 6-month period. RESULTS: A significant efficacy was reported for the 3 BTX-A groups for at least 3 months after injection (at least P <.015). Investigator and patient evaluations suggested that 50 U was the optimal dose. BTX-A was well tolerated. No blepharoptosis was reported. An evaluation in blinded conditions by independent experts was necessary because the results were overestimated by the investigators. CONCLUSION: BTX-A is an effective and safe treatment for glabellar lines.