Giuseppe Alessandro Digesu1, Visha Tailor1, Mario Preti2, Pedro Vieira-Baptista3,4, Tufan Tarcan5, Colleen Stockdale6, Sherif Mourad7. 1. Imperial College Healthcare, Department of Urogynaecology, London, UK. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy. 3. Hospital Lusíadas Porto, Porto, Portugal. 4. Lower Genital Tract Unit, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, Portugal. 5. Marmara University School of Medicine, Department of Urology, Istanbul, Turkey. 6. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. 7. Ain Shams University, Department of Urology, Cairo, Egypt.
Abstract
AIMS: Energy-based devices using radiofrequency and laser technologies have gained popularity as therapies for vaginal atrophy, urinary incontinence, and vaginal prolapse. They have been promoted by cosmetic and aesthetic industries for vaginal "laxity" and vaginal "rejuvenation," both of which are undefined conditions and terms. This article aims to review the current available literature and its quality on this emerging technology. METHODS: An international panel of gynaecologists, urogynaecologists, and urologists undertook a review of the available published literature, identifying articles, guidance, and society statements on the use vaginal energy-based devices. RESULTS: There is currently no formal guidance for the use of vaginal energy based therapies. No randomized controlled trials have been published. No comparative studies to existing treatment has been carried out. Studies suggest that vaginal laser can be used in the treatment of vaginal prolapse or "vaginal laxity" and stress urinary incontinence with no quality evidence supporting the use of the therapy for vaginal atrophy or lichen sclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: This international group propose that whilst there remains a paucity of good quality data describing the safety, benefits, and appropriate use of vaginal radiofrequency or laser treatments in gynaecology and urogynaecology, a consensus best practice document by an established scientific community needs to be developed.
AIMS: Energy-based devices using radiofrequency and laser technologies have gained popularity as therapies for vaginal atrophy, urinary incontinence, and vaginal prolapse. They have been promoted by cosmetic and aesthetic industries for vaginal "laxity" and vaginal "rejuvenation," both of which are undefined conditions and terms. This article aims to review the current available literature and its quality on this emerging technology. METHODS: An international panel of gynaecologists, urogynaecologists, and urologists undertook a review of the available published literature, identifying articles, guidance, and society statements on the use vaginal energy-based devices. RESULTS: There is currently no formal guidance for the use of vaginal energy based therapies. No randomized controlled trials have been published. No comparative studies to existing treatment has been carried out. Studies suggest that vaginal laser can be used in the treatment of vaginal prolapse or "vaginal laxity" and stress urinary incontinence with no quality evidence supporting the use of the therapy for vaginal atrophy or lichen sclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: This international group propose that whilst there remains a paucity of good quality data describing the safety, benefits, and appropriate use of vaginal radiofrequency or laser treatments in gynaecology and urogynaecology, a consensus best practice document by an established scientific community needs to be developed.
Authors: Ana Silvia Seki; Ana Maria H M Bianchi-Ferraro; Eliana S M Fonseca; Marair G F Sartori; Manoel J B C Girão; Zsuzsanna I K Jarmy-Di Bella Journal: Int Urogynecol J Date: 2022-03-07 Impact factor: 2.894