Photodynamic therapy in dystrophic diseases of the vulva

«Radiation and Risk», 2022, vol. 31, No. 3, pp.121-130

DOI: 10.21870/0131-3878-2022-31-3-121-130

Authors

Arutyunyan N.A. – Obstetrician-Gynecologist, C. Sc., Med. Contacts: 1A Lithuanian Boulevard, Moscow, 117593, Russia. Теl.: 89687286886; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Katsalap S.N. – Sen. Researcher, C. Sc., Med.
Khmelevskaya V.F. – Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Alekhin A.I. – Deputy Director, MD, Prof. Central Hospital of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Central Clinical Hospital Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow

Abstract

Dystrophic diseases of the vulva (DDV) are a group of diseases that have not been fully studied and are characterized by pain, itching, dyspareunia, dysuria, which significantly reduce the quality of life of patients, leading to vegetative-vascular and neurological disorders. Despite many different approaches, the problem of treating vulvar DDV remains unresolved, and among clinicians there is no single approach to treatment, which was the basis for studying the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with local application of a photosensitizer in patients with DDV. As part of the study, 35 patients with DDV were examined and treated. REVIXAN-DERMA gel was used as a photosen-sitizer, irradiation of the vulva was carried out using a medical laser device "LAMI" with a wavelength of 660 nm. One month after PDT of the vulva, we noted a clinical recovery in 70% of patients (no complaints), a normal vulvoscopic picture was observed in 60% of patients – epithelialization of cracks and erosions, restoration of the thickness of the epithelium, restoration of normal skin pattern, in the remaining 40% patients – epithelization of cracks and erosions, a decrease in the area of damage, restoration of the thickness of the epithelium was noted, in 70% of patients the cytogram was within the normal range, cells with signs of intraepithelial changes and malignancy were not found, in 30% of patients – a small number of horny scales, cells with signs of intraepithelial changes and malignancy were not found. During the PDT procedure of the vulva, no complications or side effects were registered. Thus, the results of the study after the use of PDT of the vulva with local application of the photosensitizer REVIXAN-DERMA gel indicate the effectiveness, safety and pro-spects of the method in the treatment of degenerative diseases of the vulva.

Key words
photodynamic therapy, photosensitizer, vulva, leukoplakia, kraurosis, lichen sclerosus, hyperkeratosis, postmenopause, dystrophy, epithelialization.

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