PURPOSE: To study the efficiency of botulinum toxin treatment in facial dystonia patients and their satisfaction along treatment. METHODS: Retrospective study of 42 facial dystonia cases followed at the Oculoplastic Surgery Department of the "Hospital das Clínicas" of the University of São Paulo. RESULTS: Following the first injections, 45.2% of the patients scored the improvement of the spasms between 9-10, 35.7% scored between 7-8, 16.7% between 5-6 and only one patient scored the improvement of the spasm as 4. According to the remission time of the symptoms, 4.8% of the patients reported between 5-6 months, 64.2% between 3-4 months and 31% reported the need for a new injection after 1-2 months of the previous injection. During treatment, 76.1% of the patients maintained the same score for spasm improvement after the botulinum toxin injection, 19.1% reported improvement and only 4.8% noted worsening of efficiency of the last injections. Along the follow-up, 64.2% reported no change in the time of return of the symptoms, 16.7% had increased and 19.1% had decreased remission time of the symptoms. After injections, 19% of the patients presented side effects and 73.8% of the patients complained of mild to moderate discomfort during the injection. CONCLUSIONS: Botulinum toxin was efficient and no change of efficiency along the time was observed. Side effects are few and the tolerance to injections are good. It is a good alternative in order to improve quality of life of these patients avoiding functional blindness caused by these diseases.
Botulinum toxin type A; Botulinum toxin type A; Hemifacial spasm; Blepharospasm; Patient acceptance of health care; Patient satisfaction; Recurrence
