Microablative fractional radiofrequency as a therapeutic option for vulvar lichen sclerosus: a pilot study

Authors

  • Márcia Farina Kamilos Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina. Hospital das Clinicas. Departamento de Obstetricia e Ginecologia
  • Lana Maria Aguiar Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina. Hospital das Clinicas. Departamento de Obstetricia e Ginecologia
  • Valéria Holmo Batista Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina. Hospital das Clinicas. Departamento de Obstetricia e Ginecologia
  • Cristiane Lima Roa Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina. Hospital das Clinicas. Departamento de Obstetricia e Ginecologia
  • Fernando Nalesso Aguiar Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina. Hospital das Clinicas. Instituto do Cancêr do Estado de São Paulo. Patologia
  • José Maria Soares Júnior Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina. Hospital das Clinicas. Departamento de Obstetricia e Ginecologia
  • Edmund Chada Baracat Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina. Hospital das Clinicas. Departamento de Obstetricia e Ginecologia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2021/e2567

Keywords:

Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus, Vulvar Itching, Atrophy, Radiofrequency Treatment, Corticosteroids

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical response to and the histomorphometric effects of microablative fractional radiofrequency (MFR) in women with symptomatic vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS). METHODS: This was a pilot study on the use of MFR for the treatment of VLS. Upon recruitment and at each treatment session, all participants were examined and each of their symptoms were rated on a visual analog scale. After the procedure, the participants completed a satisfaction questionnaire. We compared the morphometric findings of vulvar biopsies performed at enrollment and after the last treatment session. The participants were divided into three groups according to previous treatment with corticosteroids: G1, no previous treatment; G2, treated for up to 5 years; and G3, treated for 45 years. RESULTS: This study included 26 women. After two to three sessions, most participants in all groups became either ‘‘asymptomatic’’ or ‘‘much better’’ than before treatment and were ‘‘very satisfied’’ or ‘‘satisfied’’ with the intervention. Pruritus and burning sensation were the most frequently reported symptoms. Nearly 40% of the participants in all groups reported complete remission of symptoms. The improvement was rated as moderate or higher by 80%, 76%, and 66% of the women in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The improvement of symptoms persisted for 11 months (range, 7–16 months), on average, after the treatment. Type III collagen concentration significantly increased and was associated with important symptom improvement. Tissue trophism and vascularization also increased but did not reach statistical significance, probably because of the small number of cases. CONCLUSIONS: MFR may be an effective and safe treatment for symptomatic VLS.

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Published

2021-11-09

Issue

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Kamilos, M. F. ., Aguiar, L. M. ., Batista, V. H. ., Roa, C. L. ., Aguiar, F. N. ., Soares Júnior, J. M. ., & Baracat, E. C. . (2021). Microablative fractional radiofrequency as a therapeutic option for vulvar lichen sclerosus: a pilot study. Clinics, 76, e2567. https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2021/e2567