Comparison of the efficacy and adverse effects of unilateral or bilateral botulinum toxin injections for adductor spasmodic dysphonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Purpose This study aims to aggregate and analyze existing clinical evidence to compare the efficacy and adverse effects of unilateral or bilateral botulinum toxin injections for the treatment of adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD). Methods Reports from non-randomized controlled trials and cohort studies pertaining to the efficacy and adverse effects of unilateral and bilateral botulinum toxin injections for ADSD were identified and retrieved from four electronic databases from inception to July 2023. The meta-analysis employed fixed or random effects models to assess pooled relative risks (RR), mean differences (MDs), and standard mean differences (SMDs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results We included two non-randomized controlled trials and seven cohort studies comprising 854 total patients. Meta-analysis of the included studies showed that bilateral botulinum toxin injections associated with a longer duration of vocal improvement (MD =  − 2.89, 95% CI − 3.13 to − 2.65, I2 = 0%, P < 0.00001). However, bilateral botulinum toxin injections associated with an increase in adverse effects, including a longer duration of breathy voice quality (SMD =  − 0.51, 95% CI − 0.79 to − 0.22, I2 = 35%, P = 0.0005) and a higher occurrence of swallowing difficulties (RR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.11, I2 = 0%, P < 0.00001). Conclusion Bilateral botulinum toxin injections for ADSD showed a longer duration of vocal improvement, a longer breathy voice duration and a higher dysphagia occurrence and duration than unilateral injections.