Fractional CO2 Laser for Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence

Abstract

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common disorder that affects women of various ages and impacts all aspects of life. This condition negatively influences quality of life. Fractional CO₂ laser (10600nm) is the recent method for treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fractional CO₂ laser (10600nm) in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. Materials & Methods: This study was done from July 2020 to February 2021conducted at the laser institute for postgraduate studies university of Baghdad, patients collected from a private clinic and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Al-Kadhimiya private hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. Twenty women clinically diagnosed with SUI preferring non-surgical treatment were recruited to the study, their mean ages 43.6 + 13.9 years. Response to treatment was assessed at baseline  and at one month follow up after the third session using  a pelvic Floor Questionnaire (PFQ-UI).The laser parameters used were CO₂ laser wavelength 10600 nm, power 35 watt, duration 1.0 ms, distance 1.0 mm, scan mode normal, scan times 4 and scan Rows 4,Interval  0.5s. Results: Most of the twenty women included in the study 80 % reported satisfaction and 20% not satisfied with treatment after 3 sessions of CO₂ laser four weeks apart. Conclusion: Fractional CO₂ laser treatment is an easy to use, minimally invasive and effective option for treatment of SUI.