The effect of Botox Injections on Wound Healing Before and after Surgery

The current study aimed to examine the effects of Botox therapy on the skin's wound regeneration in patients who received the treatment before or after surgery. Materials and Methods: 18 male albino rats, weighing between 250 and 350 grams, were used, each receiving 1 IU of Botox and saline injected subcutaneously in the center of 1.5 cm circles with 4.5 cm between them on the dorsum of each rat. In group A, the injection was seven days before surgery, and the animals had a full-thickness skin excision; in group B, the injection was immediately after wound incision, and all were kept in separate cages. Each group was divided into three equal subgroups according to the healing period (3, 7, and 14 days), and then histological tests were undertaken on skin biopsies for all the groups post-euthanasia. Results: The results showed significant differences between groups A and B On day three, group A exhibited mild inflammation, whereas group B and both control groups had severe inflammation. On day 7, group A had scant granulation tissue and re-epithelialization of more than half of the lesions. Group B had greater granulation tissue and less re-epithelialization. On day 14, both groups exhibited considerable granulation tissue growth; however, group A showed increased blood vessel formation and keratinocyte proliferation, resulting in extremely good re-epithelialization and skin regeneration. Conclusion: Botox injections can be considered an effective alternative treatment option to accelerate wound healing, and the most suitable method to administer Botox is before surgery.