Effect of botulinum toxin type A injection into human masseter muscle on stimulated parotid saliva flow rate

Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection into the masseter muscles is used to treat masseteric hypertrophy. No serious side effects of BTX-A have been reported, but patients sometimes complain of xerostomia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of injecting BTX-A into the masseter for the treatment of masseteric hypertrophy on the flow of saliva from the parotid gland. 34 volunteers enrolled in this study. A total of 25 units of BTX-A was injected into each side bilaterally at two points at the center of the lower third of the masseter muscle. Saliva was collected from the parotid gland over a period of 10 min to determine the flow rate for 18 weeks after injection. The flow rate was calculated by dividing the amount in milliliters by the collection time in minutes. There were no significant changes in the stimulated parotid saliva flow at 4, 8, 12 or 18 weeks compared with the baseline. Within this limited study, it can be concluded that BTX-A injection into the masseter does not cause any significant decrease in the production of saliva from the parotid gland.