The Change in Dimension of the Masseter Muscle in Rabbits After Radiofrequency Therapy

Purpose

The objective of this study was to evaluate the change in muscle dimension after administering radiofrequency (RF) therapy.

Materials and Methods

This study used 6 male New Zealand rabbits. Groups were divided by number of applications of RF (eg, 1 to 4 points). The dimension of the masseter muscle was measured using a computerized tomogram scan before operation, and at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after RF therapy was administered under the same conditions. Two horizontal cuts were selected for measurement.

Results

The size of the measured areas for each group at 1 week after RF therapy was significantly increased compared with the preoperative value (P < .05). When the measurements of each group at 3 and 4 weeks after RF therapy were compared with the preoperative value, they were significantly decreased (P < .05). The dimensional change was significantly different among groups at 1 and 3 weeks post RF therapy (P < .05). The swelling at 1 week after RF therapy was increased in terms of the number of RF applications. The ratio of dimension was decreased at 3 weeks after RF therapy in terms of the number of RF applications.

Conclusion

There was an increase in muscle dimension because of swelling in the early stages of RF therapy. However, this dimension decreased at 3 weeks post-RF administration compared with the preoperative value. Therefore, it can be concluded that the change in the masseter muscle dimension was dependent on the number of RF applications.