The Complications Developed after Repeated Botulinum Toxin Injection

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence of complication associated with repeated botulinum toxin chemodenervation in extraocular muscle. METHODS: 47 patients who had taken botulinum toxin chemodenervation from 1996 to November 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. 10 patients had taken repeated injection. Saline diluted botulinum toxin was directly injected into the extraocular muscle through the Teflon coated needle. RESULTS: In 10 patients, 5 patients had complications which were 2 cases of hypertropia, 2 cases of ptosis and 1 case of retrobulbar hemorrhage who was 44 year old woman taken 5 times of botulinum toxin injection. She was successfully treated with lateral canthotomy and cantholysis. CONCLUSIONS: Rate of complication in repeated botulinum toxin chemodenervation was not different from that of single procedure. We experienced one case of retrobulbar hemorrhage in 10 patients with repeated botulinum injection.