Radiofrequency Ablation of the Nerve to the Corrugator Muscle for Elimination of Glabellar Furrowing

Glabellar furrows are caused by hyperdynamic activity of the corrugator supercilii muscles. A minimally invasive, percutaneous technique for eliminating glabellar furrows is described. An insulated, bipolar needle is inserted vertically through the eyebrow skin to entrap the corrugator nerve plexus. To confirm proper positioning, a stimulating current is delivered to the needle during observation of corrugator supercilii muscle response. Radiofrequency energy is then delivered to the needle, thereby ablating the intervening nerve tissue. This technique is in the early stage of optimization and is being evaluated in an ongoing Stanford University Human Subjects protocol, Stanford, Calif. The preliminary results are reported herein.