Er:YAG laser in hysterectomized women with stress urinary incontinence: a VELA retrospective cohort, non-inferiority study

Exploring the Impact of Non-Ablative Erbium Laser Therapy on Recurrent Vaginal Candidiasis

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect of non-ablative Er:YAG laser therapy on the symptoms and microbiological conditions of women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and sixty-seven women (mean age 34.1 ± 8.57 years) participated in this cohort study. Women diagnosed with RVVC received four vaginal laser therapies within 4 months. At baseline, 3 months, and 9 months after the last laser therapy microbiological assessment, improvement of five bothersome symptoms related to vaginal infection (burning, itching, dyspareunia, dysuria, and abnormal discharge), and the safety of the laser therapy and overall patient satisfaction were assessed.

RESULTS

Non-ablative vaginal Er:YAG laser therapy resulted in improvements of all bothersome symptoms and was statistically significant at 3 and 9 months following the therapy. A complete resolution in symptoms (VAS = 0) was observed in 38%-74% of women, depending on the symptom. Nine months after therapy, the prevalence of Candida albicans dropped from 80% to 30%, and a complete elimination of pathogens was detected in 64% of the women. The laser therapy appeared to be effective in the elimination of non-albicans Candida species. A total of 86% of the patients reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the therapy. Only minor and transient adverse effects were recorded during the study.

CONCLUSION

Non-ablative vaginal Er:YAG laser therapy proved to be a promising treatment for RVVC in women. The effect was achieved by improving their vaginal health by lowering the load of pathogenic yeast and by promoting the restoration of a favorable environment for normal microflora.

Safety and Efficacy of Erbium: Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet Laser Treatment in Chinese Women with Mild-to-Moderate Stress Urinary Incontinence

Background: This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser treatment in female patients with mild-to-moderate stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods: From July 2018 to June 2020, 72 female patients with mild-to-moderate SUI were enrolled in this study. A baseline assessment was conducted, which included a 1-hour pad test, the validated International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF), postvoid residual (PVR) testing, pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) testing, and a cough stress test. All patients underwent four sessions of Er:YAG laser treatment using a smooth mode. A reassessment was performed 6 months after treatment to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Er:YAG laser. Results: All patients completed four clinic visits, with a 1-month interval, and were followed up for a minimum of 6 months. No severe adverse reactions were observed during the treatment process. The 1-hour pad test revealed a significant reduction in urinary leakage from baseline (6.30 ± 1.06 g) to the 6-month follow-up (2.70 ± 0.96 g, p < 0.001), with 34 of 72 (47.22%) patients achieving negative results. The ICIQ-UI-SF score significantly decreased from baseline to 6 months (10.82 ± 1.38 to 2.96 ± 0.52, p < 0.001). PVR experimental results showed a significant decrease in residual urine volume after treatment (103.72 ± 8.61 mL to 43.86 ± 4.92 mL, p < 0.001). At the 6-month follow-up, hematoxylin and eosin staining results demonstrated that Er:YAG laser treatment significantly facilitated an increase in the thickness of squamous epithelial cells. The efficacy of Er:YAG laser treatment for SUI was 77.78% (56/72). Conclusions: Several objective and subjective assessments confirmed the safety and efficacy of vaginal smooth mode Er:YAG laser treatment for mild-to-moderate SUI during the 6-month follow-up period. Nonablative Er:YAG laser in the smooth mode is a viable treatment option for SUI patients.

Vaginal erbium laser treatment for stress urinary incontinence: A multicenter randomized sham-controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of non-ablative vaginal Er:YAG laser device in stress urinary incontinence (SUI) treatment.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter blinded randomized sham-controlled trial in which women with urodynamic SUI were randomization to active arm using Er:YAG laser therapy, and sham arm using sham handpiece. Patients received two treatments 1 month apart. The primary outcomes measure was 1 h pad weight test measured at 6 months. Secondary outcomes were durability of treatment success at 12 months, and questionnaires for assessment of SUI severity (ICIQ-UI SF), sexual function (PISQ-12) and HRQoL (KHQ), and incidence and severity of device related adverse events and pain (VAS).

RESULTS

A total of 110 participants with SUI were recruited; 73 in the active arm and 37 in the sham arm. Two participants were excluded; one was assigned the wrong treatment and one withdrew their consent. Treatment success was observed in 36% of the sham arm and 59% of the active arm; in the latter, odds of achieving treatment success were more than three-fold higher (OR 3.63, 95% CI: 1.3-11.2, P = 0.02). HRQoL by KHQ showed significant improvement in the active versus the sham arm (OR 0.36, 95% CI: 0.15-0.87, P = 0.003). Similarly, subjective patient assessment of general and sexual function improvement with PISQ-12 and PGI-I showed superior effect over sham (OR 2.8, 95% CI: 1.2-7.0, P = 0.02 and OR 0.13, 95% CI: 0.05-0.36, P < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Non-ablative vaginal Er:YAG laser therapy significantly improves SUI symptoms versus sham treatment. Er:YAG laser therapy should be considered as a non-surgical treatment option for SUI patients.

Evaluating Non-ablative Erbium Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (YAG) Laser Treatment for Polypropylene Mesh-Induced Vaginal Erosion: A Case Series

Background Vaginal erosion caused by the polypropylene mesh is a serious side effect, and the development of effective treatment methods is required. This study explored the potential of non-ablative vaginal erbium yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) laser treatment (VEL) as a novel treatment approach. Methods In this study, VEL was performed on nine women who experienced vaginal erosion after undergoing treatment for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) with polypropylene mesh. These patients visited our hospital between April and December 2020. Using the Renovalase (SP Dynamis Fotona d.o.o., Ljubljana, Slovenia), the laser was applied to the entire vagina, with intensive irradiation focused on the erosion areas. Detailed analyses of symptoms before and after treatment, as well as histopathological changes, were conducted one year post-treatment. Results Nine women were referred to our hospital due to vaginal erosion caused by polypropylene mesh. The participants' average age was 73.2 years (range: 69-81 years), with four patients having undergone transvaginal mesh (TVM) surgery and five undergoing laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC). The average time from mesh insertion to treatment initiation was 7.2 years (range: 3-15 years), with eight patients having previously attempted mesh removal. Post-treatment, significant improvements were observed in managing vaginal erosion and related bleeding, corroborated by histopathological analysis confirming cell regeneration and tissue repair. These improvements also resulted in significant improvements in bleeding management and quality of life (QoL). Conclusion VEL suggests the possibility of being an effective treatment method for vaginal erosion caused by a polypropylene mesh. However, further research is needed because of the small sample size and the limitations inherent in the retrospective case series design.

SUI in postmenopausal women: advantages of an intraurethral + intravaginal Er:YAG laser

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of concomitant application of an intraurethral (IU) + intravaginal (IV) non-ablative Erbium (Er):YAG laser with IV application in improving the symptoms of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women.

METHODS

This observational retrospective cohort study included 122 patients with SUI, 60 women in the IU + IV laser arm and 62 in the IV laser arm. The primary outcome was the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Urinary Incontinence Short Form score at entry and at 3, 6 and 12 months from baseline.

RESULTS

Demographic characteristics were comparable in both arms. Significant improvement in SUI symptoms was seen 3 months after the intervention and was sustained until the end of month 12 in both arms. The women who had severe SUI symptoms initially showed greater improvement. A higher number of women who initially had mild to moderate SUI symptoms were dry after treatment. Patients treated with IU + IV Er:YAG laser showed significant improvement in SUI symptoms compared to IV laser only, especially at postmenopausal state (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

The Er:YAG laser appears to be an efficient treatment method for SUI. Concomitant application of an IU + IV Er:YAG laser is more effective in relieving SUI symptoms at postmenopausal state.

Vaginal Laser Treatment for the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Narrative Review

Vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) is a chronic condition resulting from reduced estrogen levels during menopause. The North American Menopause Society and the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health suggested the term "genitourinary syndrome of menopause" (GSM) to indicate the broader aspects of VVA. Breast cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and endocrine therapy, can induce early and abrupt menopausal symptoms, including GSM, which negatively affects sexual function and the quality of life of the survivors. Vaginal laser therapy has emerged as a safe and effective option for the management of GSM in breast cancer survivors (BCSs). Two main types of lasers, the non-ablative erbium:YAG laser and fractional microablative CO2 vaginal laser, have been evaluated for GSM treatment. While there are few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the subject of BCSs, a wealth of prospective and retrospective studies have highlighted the beneficial effects of vaginal laser therapy on the symptoms of VVA, vaginal health, sexual function, and overall quality of life. More comprehensive research is essential to confirm its enduring effectiveness and safety, with a focus on conducting standardized and meticulously controlled investigations. This study is a narrative review that summarizes clinical trials ranging from the earliest to the most recent ones on laser treatment for GSM in BCSs.

The evidence behind the use of LASER for genitourinary syndrome of menopause, vulvovaginal atrophy, urinary incontinence and lichen sclerosus: A state-of-the-art review

In recent years, LASER has been introduced as a minimally invasive treatment for a broad range of vaginal and vulvar symptoms and diseases. However, the efficacy and safety of vaginal and vulvar LASER has continuously been questioned. The aim of this study is to create an overview of the current literature and discuss the controversies within the use of LASER for genitourinary syndrome of menopause, vulvovaginal atrophy, urinary incontinence and lichen sclerosus. A search string was built in PubMed. The search was commenced on August 25, 2021 and closed on October 27, 2021. Two authors screened the studies in Covidence for inclusion according to the eligibility criteria in the protocol. The data were extracted from the studies and are reported in both text and tables. This review included 114 papers, of which 15 were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The effect of LASER as a vaginal treatment was investigated for genitourinary syndrome of menopause in 36 studies (six RCTs), vulvovaginal atrophy in 34 studies (four RCTs) and urinary incontinence in 30 studies (two RCTs). Ten studies (three RCTs) investigated the effect of vulvar treatment for lichen sclerosus. Half of the included RCTs, irrespective of indication, did not find a significant difference in improvement in women treated with vaginal CO₂ or Er:YAG LASER compared with their respective controls. However, most non-comparative studies reported significant improvement after exposure to vaginal or vulvar LASER across all indications. Included studies generally had a short follow-up period and only a single RCT followed their participants for more than 6 months post treatment. Adverse events were reported as mild and transient and 99 studies including 51 094 patients provided information of no serious adverse events. In conclusion, this review found that the effect of vaginal and vulvar LASER decreases with higher study quality where potential biases have been eliminated. We therefore stress that all patients who are treated with vaginal or vulvar LASER should be carefully monitored and that LASER for those indications as a treatment should be kept on a research level until further high-quality evidence is available.