Histological findings after non-ablative Er:YAG laser therapy in women with severe vaginal atrophy

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of non-ablative erbium vaginal laser treatment on vaginal mucosa tissue affected by severe atrophy.

Methods: Ten patients with severe genitourinary syndrome of menopause were treated with two sessions of the non-ablative erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser (Er:YAG laser) separated by 4 weeks. Vaginal biopsies were performed before and 3 months after the second treatment. The improvement in vaginal atrophy was assessed using multiple measuring tools before and 6 months after the treatment. The degree of patients’ satisfaction was also assessed.

Results: Microscopic examination showed significant changes in the main structural components of the vaginal wall mucosa after two non-ablative Er:YAG laser sessions. The epithelial thickness increased from 45 µm (10–106 µm) to 153 µm (97–244 µm) measured 3 months after the final laser treatment. Vaginal atrophy improved in all patients by all measured outcomes. The degree of patient satisfaction was very high (3.6 on the Likert four-point scale). No adverse events or complications were observed in any of the sessions.

Conclusion: The non-ablative Er:YAG laser seems to be a safe and effective method to increase epithelial thickness of the vaginal mucosa in patients with severe vaginal atrophy.

摘要

目的：探讨非消融性铒阴道激光治疗重度阴道萎缩患者的阴道粘膜组织的疗效。

方法：对10例绝经期患有严重泌尿生殖系统综合征的患者, 采用非消融性掺铒钇铝石榴石激光器治疗, 每次治疗间隔4周。在第二次治疗前和治疗后3个月进行阴道活检。在治疗前和治疗后6个月, 应用多种检测工具评估阴道萎缩的改善情况。并对患者的满意度进行评估。

结果：经两次非消融激光照射治疗后, 阴道壁粘膜的主要结构成分发生明显改变。在激光治疗3个月后, 上皮厚度从45mm（10-106mm）增加到153mm(97-244mm）。所有检测结果显示, 所有患者的阴道萎缩都有所改善。患者满意度非常高（Likert四分制量表为3.6）。在所有疗程中均未观察到不良事件或并发症。

结论：非消融性铒：YAG激光增厚阴道粘膜是一种安全有效的方法。

Keywords:

• Genitourinary syndrome of menopause
• epithelial thickness
• vaginal laser therapy
• vaginal atrophy
• erbium laser

Potential conflict of interest

Z. Vizintin is an employee of Fotona d.o.o.

Source of funding

Nil.