Antonino Perino1, Alberto Calligaro2, Francesco Forlani3, Corrado Tiberio1, Gaspare Cucinella1, Alessandro Svelato1, Salvatore Saitta4, Gloria Calagna1. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital "P. Giaccone", Palermo, Italy. 2. Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Unit of Histology and Embryology University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. 3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital "P. Giaccone", Palermo, Italy. Electronic address: forlani81@gmail.com. 4. Department of Human Pathology, School and Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of thermo-ablative fractional CO2 laser for the treatment of symptoms related to vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA) in post-menopausal women. METHODS: From April 2013 to December 2013, post-menopausal patients who complained of one or more VVA-related symptoms and who underwent vaginal treatment with fractional CO2 laser were enrolled in the study. At baseline (T0) and 30 days post-treatment (T1), vaginal status of the women was evaluated using the Vaginal Health Index (VHI), and subjective intensity of VVA symptoms was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS). At T1, treatment satisfaction was evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 48 patients were enrolled. Data indicated a significant improvement in VVA symptoms (vaginal dryness, burning, itching and dyspareunia) (P<0.0001) in patients who had undergone 3 sessions of vaginal fractional CO2 laser treatment. Moreover, VHI scores were significantly higher at T1 (P<0.0001). Overall, 91.7% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the procedure and experienced considerable improvement in quality of life (QoL). No adverse events due to fractional CO2 laser treatment occurred. CONCLUSION: Thermo-ablative fractional CO2 laser could be a safe, effective and feasible option for the treatment of VVA symptoms in post-menopausal women.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of thermo-ablative fractional CO2 laser for the treatment of symptoms related to vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA) in post-menopausal women. METHODS: From April 2013 to December 2013, post-menopausal patients who complained of one or more VVA-related symptoms and who underwent vaginal treatment with fractional CO2 laser were enrolled in the study. At baseline (T0) and 30 days post-treatment (T1), vaginal status of the women was evaluated using the Vaginal Health Index (VHI), and subjective intensity of VVA symptoms was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS). At T1, treatment satisfaction was evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 48 patients were enrolled. Data indicated a significant improvement in VVA symptoms (vaginal dryness, burning, itching and dyspareunia) (P<0.0001) in patients who had undergone 3 sessions of vaginal fractional CO2 laser treatment. Moreover, VHI scores were significantly higher at T1 (P<0.0001). Overall, 91.7% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the procedure and experienced considerable improvement in quality of life (QoL). No adverse events due to fractional CO2 laser treatment occurred. CONCLUSION: Thermo-ablative fractional CO2 laser could be a safe, effective and feasible option for the treatment of VVA symptoms in post-menopausal women.
Authors: Yona Tadir; Adrian Gaspar; Ahinoam Lev-Sagie; Macrene Alexiades; Red Alinsod; Alex Bader; Alberto Calligaro; Jorge A Elias; Marco Gambaciani; Jorge E Gaviria; Cheryl B Iglesia; Ksenija Selih-Martinec; Patricia L Mwesigwa; Urska B Ogrinc; Stefano Salvatore; Paolo Scollo; Nicola Zerbinati; John Stuart Nelson Journal: Lasers Surg Med Date: 2017-02-21 Impact factor: 4.025