Masseter Muscle Reduction

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in masseter muscle reduction via electrocautery for a permanent solution. I would also like to know if this method can be used for the upper trapezius muscle as well? Mine is way over developeddue to genetics as well as being top heavy…thank you.

A: Masseter muscle reduction is surgically done using electocautery to treat the entire internal surface of the muscle from where it is lifted off the jaw bone. By so doing it causes some muscle cell atrophy, reducing the size of the overall muscle. Treating a much larger muscle like the trapezium is more analogous to that of the calf muscle. In calf muscle reduction a portion of the fibers of the muscle are released from its origin by electrocautery resulting in a different mechanism for muscle atrophy. This would how the trapezius muscle would similarly treated. What bothers you about the trapezius muscle would most likely be the upper third where it is seen gong from the back of the head down across to the shoulder. Such a trapezium release of the upper third of the muscle would have to be done where it attaches to the occipital skull bone.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana