Methods for enhancing wound healing

Abstract

A method for treating a patient having a wound is described. The method includes administering an amount of a chemodenervating agent such that healing of the wound is enhanced. The method is illustrated by detailing the mean differences of the scores of the paired experimental and control scars across three observers.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for treating a patient having a wound, said method comprising locally administering an amount of a chemodenervating agent such that healing of said wound is enhanced.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said chemodenervating agent is a botulinum toxin.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said botulinum toxin is selected from the group consisting of botulinum toxin A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said botulinum toxin is botulinum toxin A.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said botulinum toxin is botulinum toxin B.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said chemodenervating agent is saxitoxin.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said chemodenervating agent is tetanus toxin.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said chemodenervating agent is tetrodotoxin.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering step is by injection.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said chemodenervating agent is subcutaneously injected.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said chemodenervating agent is intramuscularly injected.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said chemodenervating agent is percutaneously instilled.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , said method further comprising administering a local anesthetic.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said local anesthetic is lidocaine.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said local anesthetic is bupivacaine.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said local anesthetic is mepivacaine.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said local anesthetic is administered prior to administration of said chemodenervating agent.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , said method further comprising administering a local vasoconstrictive agent.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said local vasoconstrictive agent is epinephrine.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , said method further comprising administering a local anesthetic and a vasoconstrictive agent.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said local anesthetic and said vasoconstrictive agent are administered prior to said chemodenervating agent.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said wound is a facial wound.  
     
     
         23 . A composition comprising a chemodenervating agent, a local anesthetic agent, and a vasoconstrictive agent.  
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein said chemodenervating agent is botulinum toxin.  
     
     
         25 . An article of manufacture comprising packaging material and an amount of a chemodenervating agent, wherein said packaging material comprises a label that indicates said chemodenervating agent is useful for treating a patient having a wound, and wherein local administration of said amount of said chemodenervating agent enhances healing of said wound.  
     
     
         26 . The article of manufacture of  claim 25 , wherein said chemodenervating agent is a botulinum toxin.  
     
     
         27 . The article of manufacture of  claim 25 , wherein said botulinum toxin is botulinum toxin A.  
     
     
         28 . The article of manufacture of  claim 25 , wherein said botulinum toxin is botulinum toxin B.  
     
     
         29 . The article of manufacture of  claim 25 , said article of manufacturing further comprising a local anesthetic.  
     
     
         30 . The article of manufacture of  claim 25 , said article of manufacture further comprising a local vasoconstrictive agent.  
     
     
         31 . The article of manufacture of  claim 25 , said article of manufacture further comprising a local anesthetic and a local vasoconstrictive agent.