Descripción:
Background: Muscles of the glabellar region can be overactive, giving patients a “scowling” look and making them appear angry, worried, or stressed. Objective: The authors describe percutaneous selective nerve ablation, a minimally-invasive technique, for treatment of glabellar frown lines, and report results from a series of patients treated with the technique. Methods: Since November 2007 to December 2009, 27 patients (22 women and five men) underwent the procedure to improve glabellar frown lines. Surface pathway of the nerve to the corrugator supercilii and procerus was checked with a peripheral nerve stimulator. For percutaneous localization, a 22-gauge monopolar electrode was introduced into the lateral brow and cheek skin without incision. Short electrical stimulation (0.3-0.5 mA) was delivered to identify the proper lesion sites. Synchronous contraction of corrugator supercilii was elicited and radiofrequency nerve ablation performed (85°C, 70 seconds). In all patients, the frontal branch of the facial nerve and angular nerve were treated bilaterally. The improvement was evaluated using the Wrinkle Assessment Scale.
