Prospective cohort study of the treatment of non-neoplastic epithelial disorders of the vulva with a fractional Carbon Dioxide laser

Background: There are many methods on non-neoplastic epithelial disorders of the vulva. But the effect is not good. Scientific evidence for clinical practice is urgently needed from comparisons of improvement in subjective symptoms and therapeutic efficacies of various therapeutic methods. Methods: This study prospectively included 40 cases of lichen simplex chronicus and 40 cases of lichen sclerosus. One group was treated via fractional CO2 laser (the laser treatment group) while the other group was treated via electrostimulation of smooth muscle and outpatient follow-up visits were performed 3, 6, and 12 months after the completion of treatment. The efficacies were scored according to Patient Global Impression of Change (PGI-C) scale and the clinical efficacy rating scale. Results: The PGI-C scores of the laser treatment group at 3, 6, and 12 months after the completion of the treatment were significantly superior to those of the electrostimulation group (P<0.05). the total effective rate in the laser treatment group was higher than that in the electrostimulation group 3 months (90.00% vs. 77.50%), 6 months (87.50% vs. 72.50%), and 12 months (87.50% vs. 67.50%). Patients with lichen simplex chronicus had higher PGI-C scores and clinical efficacy scores. Conclusions: Fractional CO2 laser treatment can achieve a better therapeutic effect. Lichen simplex chronicus can get better subjective improvement and clinical efficacy.