A comparative study of the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation and botulinum toxin A in treating masseteric hypertrophy

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of two treatments for masseteric hypertrophy. In total, 24 patients with masseteric hypertrophy were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: 12 individuals were treated with radiofrequency (RF) ablation and 12 patients received an injection of botulinum toxin A. The thickness of the masseter muscle under tension was measured using ultrasound and clinical photographs were captured prior to treatment and at 6 and 12 months following treatment. Complications were observed during 12-month follow-up. In the group injected with botulinum toxin A, masseteric muscle thickness decreased to the lowest point 6 months after the injections but increased until 12 months after injection. However, in the group treated with RF ablation, muscle thickness decreased steadily over the 12 months following surgery. Therefore, the results of the present study indicated that the effect of RF ablation on the thickness of the masseter muscle may be much larger than that obtained following injection with botulinum toxin A.