Plastic Surgery 2009 news briefs

Selected news to be presented on Sunday, October 25

SEATTLE – Plastic Surgery 2009 News Briefs are designed to keep you up-to-date on embargoed studies and other news being presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) held October 23-27 in Seattle. All briefs are embargoed until the date/time they are presented. To obtain an advance copy of study abstracts, for media registration, or to arrange interviews with presenters, please contact ASPS Public Relations at (847) 228-9900, or in Seattle, Oct. 24-27 at (206) 219-4726.

Botox Takes a Shot at Pain

Embargo for Release: Sunday, October 25, 2009

No longer just a wrinkle fighter, Botox® may have indications as a pain medication to fight Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), reports a new study presented at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2009 conference, Oct. 23-27, in Seattle. Between 5 and 26 people out of every 100,000 have their lives significantly disrupted by some form of chronic pain. Traditionally, treatments for the nervous system-based pain disorder have included massage, physiotherapy, stretching and strengthening exercises, and heat/cold therapy. Despite those, many patients often continue to experience disruptive pain. The study found injecting Botox into the area affected by pain provides significant pain control. Eight patients suffering from severe pain received an average of nine injections - one every four weeks. All of patients reported a significant improvement (31.25 percent) in their daily pain control that was maintained for up to 17 months.

By the Numbers:

More than 5 million Botox injections were performed in 2008, according to ASPS stats.

Botox injections are up 8 percent since 2007 and 537 percent since 2000.

Study: "The Efficacy of Botox Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome" is being presented Sun., Oct. 25, 10:35 -10:40AM PDT, at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.

Panel: "How Painful - Treating the Patient with Chronic Pain" is being held on Sat., Oct. 24, 9:45-10:45AM PDT, at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.

First-of-its-Kind Study Links Breast Reduction to Reduced Back Disorders

Embargo for Release: Sunday, October 25, 2009