The effect of botulinum A toxin repeated injection in treating blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm

Objective: To study the long-term efficacy of botulinum A toxin (BTXA) repeated injection for the treatment of blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm (HFS).

Methods: Eighty patients with blepharospasm and/or HFS (75 sides and 65 sides respectively) were treated with constant BTXA local repeated injection over 4 times and the dosage was 12.5-15.0 U and 22.5-32.5 U respectively in each injection. A total number of 886 injections were given. All the patients were followed up for 2-8 years.

Results: The earliest effect was found in 2-3 days after the treatment. The effective ratios of the partial relieved, remarkably relieved and completely relieved in blepharospasm and HFS were 0, 67.7%, 32.7% and 1.4%, 72.3%, 26.3% respectively. The average duration of improvement lasted about (19.9 +/- 4.5) weeks and (20.7 +/- 4.2) weeks respectively (P>0.05), which increased with the times of injection. The local side effects were mild and transient.

Conclusions: BTXA for the treatment of blepharospasm and HFS is a safe, effective and simple method.