engleski

ER:YAG laser treatment for early stages of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women: a controlled clinical trial

Objective: The objective of this open-labeled, prospective pilot study was to assess the efficacy and safety of the novel minimally invasive non-ablative laser treatment in the early stages of SUI. Methods: 33 female patients suffering from stress urinary incontinence were recruited for this study. 22 of them underwent treatment with Er:YAG (2940 nm) laser, while 11 patients were scheduled for pelvic floor muscle training (PMFT). All patients were assessed with ICIQ-UI SF and PISQ-12 questionnaires, Q-tip test, perineometry and residual urine volume (RUV). Follow ups were done after 1, 2 and 6 months for laser group and at 6 months for PFMT group. Results: Laser treatment was significantly (p< 0.05) more effective than PFMT in all the domains tested: ICIQ-UI score reduced for more than 6 points at all follow ups (p<0.01). PISQ- 12 scores increase after 6 months was 5.5 points (p<0.03). All three perineometric parameters (max. pressure, average pressure and duration of squeeze) showed significant increase(p<0.02). Q-tip angle significantly decreased for 4.8˚ in restful and for 14.1˚ in strain position at 6 months and RUV wassignifi cantly (p<0.03) reduced as well. Laser treatment had no adverse effects. Conclusion: This study showed statistically significant improvements in all outcome measures used in the study. Our data revealed that the improvement of incontinence achieved with laser therapy was also associated with significant improvements in sexual function. Er:YAG laser therapy is another possible minimally invasive option for treating premenopausal and postmenopausal women with SUI symptoms.

SUI ; ER:YAG laser ; women

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