Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the involuntary loss of urine during activities requiring increased abdominal activation such as sneezing, coughing, jumping, physical exercise and sports. Despite its prevalence, SUI remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Current lifestyle and physical therapy treatments have limited success, while surgical options carry with them the risk of significant adverse effects. In recent years, the use of the Er: YAG laser treatment has demonstrated efficacy in alleviating SUI symptoms with minimal adverse effects. A new hybrid fractional laser that enables delivery of both ablative 2940 nm and non-ablative 1470 nm wavelengths, either independently or blended, was recently introduced. This study evaluated its safety and efficacy in SUI.Aim: To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of postpatum women with respect to cervical cancer in the health districts of Maroua, northern Cameroon.
Methods:We enrolled 19 women with mild-to-severe SUI in this open-label, non-randomized, prospective pilot trial. Inclusion criteria were mild-to-severe SUI, the ability to complete the Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF), and the ability to provide voluntary written consent. The degree of SUI and its impact on quality of life was assessed using the ICIQ-UI SF administered at baseline and again 3 months after treatment. Improvement was defined as an ICIQ-SF score lower than baseline regardless of severity stage. The hybrid fractional laser (diVa, Sciton Inc, Palo Alto, CA) was used with ablative 2940nm and non-ablative 1470nm laser wavelengths in an outpatient setting. One treatment pass delivered in 360 degrees circumference to vaginal canal and second pass to anterior vaginal wall was performed.
Result:The mean score on the ICIQ-UI at baseline was 12.7 (8-20 range). At 3 months follow-up, the ICIQ-UI mean score was 4.7 (0-14), a 68.4% improvement (p<0.05). Five participants (26.3%) demonstrated a 100% improvement. One patient had a higher ICIQ SF score at 3 months and worsening of symptoms at 3 months. There were no adverse effects, pain, or discomfort reported.
Discussion:The results of this pilot study demonstrate that a single treatment with a hybrid fractional laser can improve symptoms of SUI based on the ICIQ-UI with no adverse effects. Treatment was well tolerated. We will report the results after a second treatment session.