Fractional CO2 Laser for the Treatment of Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: a
Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Randomized Trial
Abstract
Objective To determine the efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide laser
(FXCO2) therapy for vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS). Design Prospective,
double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized trial. Setting Clinic
specializing in vulvovaginal disorders. Population Forty women with
active VLS confirmed with biopsy who abstaining from topical and/or
systemic treatments for at least 4 weeks. Methods Women were randomized
in a 1:1 ratio to receive either five sham laser treatments or five
FXCO2 treatments in a 24-week period. Pre- and post-treatment biopsies
were obtained on all participants. Study participants, treating
clinicians, and evaluating pathologist were blinded. Main Outcome
Measures Primary: pre- and post-treatment biopsy Histopathologic Scale
(HS) findings. Secondary: Clinical Scoring System for Vulvar Lichen
Sclerosus (CSS) Results There was a 0.12 reduction (improvement) in HS
from baseline in the active treatment group (95%CI = -1.01, 0.78,
p=0.79) and a 0.06 increase from baseline in the sham treatment group
(95%CI - -0.81, 0.92, p=0.90). The change in HS between the active and
sham arm was not statistically significant (-0.17; 95%CI = -1.14, 1.06,
p=0.78). There was a 6.82-point reduction (improvement) in the patients’
CSS from baseline in the active (95% CI = -11.28, -2.37, p= 0.004) and
a 4.83-point reduction in the sham treatment group (95% CI = -9.16,
-0.51, p=0.03). In the clinicians’ CSS, there was a 0.82 increase
(worsening) in the active (95% CI = -0.46, 2.11, p=0.20) and a 0.28
reduction in the sham treatment group (95% CI = -1.53, 0.97, p=0.65).
Conclusions. FXCO2 is not an effective monotherapy treatment for VLS