Many people who got sick after using botox in the last 3 months applied to AU Hospital. 16 people who had difficulty speaking, swallowing and breathing, and severe muscle weakness were treated. While some of the patients were connected to a ventilator, 3 of them were treated in intensive care.
Patients with milder complaints were treated as outpatients. The health conditions of 7 patients who were admitted to the neurology clinic in the last week were reported as forensic cases. It will be investigated where and by whom the patients' botox treatment was performed.
'BOTOX WAS DONE BY THE DOCTOR'S SECRETARY'
F.F., who became ill after Botox and continues his treatment at the hospital, said, "About 20 days ago, I went to a doctor's clinic and had Botox. A few days after the procedure, my eyelid fell and my eye closed. Then I started having difficulty swallowing. I went to a doctor's clinic, but the botox was done by his secretary. My advice to others is to have this procedure done by specialists."
'PATIENTS CAME WITH HEAVY PATIENTS'
Neurology Specialist Prof. from AU Hospital stated that the number of patients with toxin poisoning has increased in the last 3 months. Dr. Ebru Apaydın Doğan said, "We saw that we had 16 patients in the last 3 months. We had to admit 16 of our patients to the ward. Because they came with respiratory problems, swallowing difficulties, difficulty in speaking and getting out of bed, and severe symptoms such as not being able to use the necessary muscles when sitting up. Apart from these, there were also milder clinical ones, we follow them on an outpatient basis. For us, hospitalization is a serious indication. All of them were cases that developed after dermocosmetic applications. But when the active ingredient was different or when it was performed by non-experts, their origin was unknown. "Unfortunately, when the products are used, this toxin mixes with the blood, and then toxin poisoning occurs in patients," he said.
PAY ATTENTION TO LICENSE AND SUITABLE CONDITIONS
Internal Medicine Specialist Assoc. Prof. states that all conditions must be suitable for Botox application. Dr. Hasan Sözel said, "Before making the application, it is necessary to think 'Is this center a licensed health center?' It should also be followed whether the product is licensed or supplied under appropriate conditions."
'24 HOURS AND THE FIRST 2 PATIENTS ARE MORE IMPORTANT'
Emphasizing the importance of reaction and time period, Dr. from the Department of Neurology. Yusuf Savrun said, "We usually start to see the effects within 24 hours after the toxin is applied. These effects gradually increase in the second week. However, after the second week, the possibility of side effects caused by the toxin decreases. Therefore, the first 24 hours and the first two weeks are more important for us. The side effects that may occur after this are not so scary for us."
'WE CONNECT THE PATIENT TO A RESPIRATOR WHEN NECESSARY'
Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Member Dr. Aslıhan Yürüktümen Ünal said, "Our patients often present with complaints of difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness, sometimes shortness of breath, drooping of both eyelids and muscle weakness. They may also complain of double vision. Most of these patients apply after botox applications for cosmetic purposes. First of all, we evaluate whether the patient's life is in danger. At the same time, we try to determine the cause of the complaints. If the patient's breathing is seriously affected, we make the necessary interventions to ensure breathing. When necessary, we connect the patient to a respirator."
IN NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES, SPECIALIST DOCTORS CARRY OUT
Stating that botox applied in the neurological field is different from cosmetic applications, Assoc. Prof. Head of the Department of Neurology, AÜ Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Ebru Barçın said, "We have been using botulinum toxin, that is, botox application, in the neurological field for many years, in involuntary contractions or contractions on the face and eyelids. Especially the dosage is very important in the use of cosmetics. We do not say 'do not have cosmetics' or 'let's not do cosmetic applications', but we say that it should be done by specialist physicians who know the job and have knowledge of the subject. Patients who have botulinum toxin applied by expert hands in neurological diseases are afraid of these events and stop treatment. "We are also worried that they will give it to us. The two situations are different from each other," he said.
BOTOX AUTHORITY TO ALL DOCTORS
On the other hand, with the regulation change published in the Official Gazette on January 7, 2025, aesthetic applications, which were previously performed by dermatology and plastic surgery specialists and physicians with medical aesthetics certificates, were opened to all physicians with a short-term certification. Experts pointed out that botox and filler applications are medical procedures and emphasized that they should be performed by competent physicians in licensed health institutions.
