AUTHOR=Whitehead-Clarke Thomas , Windsor Alastair 

TITLE=The Use of Botulinum Toxin in Complex Hernia Surgery: Achieving a Sense of Closure

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Surgery

VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/surgery/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2021.753889

DOI=10.3389/fsurg.2021.753889

ISSN=2296-875X

ABSTRACT=Abdominal wall surgeons have developed a host of tools to help facilitate fascial closure. Botulinum toxin A is one of the most recently identified treatments and has grown in popularity over recent years; showing great promise in a number of case series and cohort studies. The toxin paralyses lateral abdominal wall muscles in order to increase laxity of the tissues – facilitating medialisation of the rectus muscles. Several research groups around the world are developing expertise with its use- uncovering its potential. We present a review of the relevant literature over the last two decades, summarizing the key evidence behind its indications, dosing and effects.