Vaginal erbium laser for treatment of stress urinary incontinence: optimization of treatment regimen for a sustained long-term effect.

Abstract

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common health problem that affects roughly 35% of women in the reproductive period. A prospective uncontrolled study was conducted to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of a non-ablative Er:YAG laser treatment of SUI. Forty-three patients participated in the study. All women underwent three sessions of IncontiLase® procedure, and efficacy of laser treatment was assessed by 1-h pad test, 24-h pad test, 3-day voiding diary, and ICIQ-UI SF questionnaire at multiple follow-ups. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Patients were questioned about discomfort during treatment and any adverse events following the laser procedures. All outcome measures showed a significant change over a period of the entire clinical trial. Eighteen-month follow-up revealed a fading of the effect, which was alleviated by single-session maintenance treatments every 6 months. There were no serious adverse events reported during the study. All reported side effects were mild and transient. The application of non-ablative Er:YAG laser for SUI treatment significantly improves the SUI symptoms. High improvement rates and patient satisfaction can be maintained with single-session maintenance treatments performed every 6 months. Long-term safety profile of multiple non-ablative Er:YAG laser treatment is shown. NCT04348994, 16.04.2020, retrospectively registered.

• Authors: Adrian Gaspar, Neža Koron, Joaquin Silva, Hugo Brandi
• Journal: Lasers in medical science (Lasers Med Sci) Vol. 37 Issue 4 Pg. 2157-2164 (Jun 2022) ISSN: 1435-604X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 35067817 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.

Chemical References

• Erbium

Topics

• Erbium
• Female
• Humans
• Lasers, Solid-State (adverse effects)
• Prospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome
• Urinary Incontinence, Stress (radiotherapy)