Journal of Cell Science & Therapy
Open Access

Lipofilling as a new approach in the management of lichen sclerosus of the vulva

4^th World Congress on Cell Science & Stem Cell Research

June 24-26, 2014 Valencia Conference Centre, Valencia, Spain

Liverani C A, Boero V, Sipio E and Monti E

Accepted Abstracts: J Cell Sci Ther

Abstract :

Background: Lichen sclerosus of the vulva is an autoimmune chronic inflammatory disease, often troublesome and disabling, which is currently managed mainly with topical steroids. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of lipofilling in the management of vulvar lichen sclerosus and to investigate the regenerative power of mesenchymal stem cells in improving the tropism of vulvar skin and mucosa, thus improving life quality and sexual function. Methods: 46 women with histologically confirmed vulvar lichen sclerosus underwent an autologous vulvar fat grafting. Signs and symptoms were assessed before treatment, and 1, 3, 6 months after treatment. Disease activity at baseline and 6 months after treatment was evaluated using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the modified Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The procedure employed was the Coleman technique under local anesthesia. Results: 36 patients were eligible for the study, with a median age of 54 years. 57% underwent just one fat grafting, 40% two and 3% three. No adverse events were registered. The majority of patients had significant benefits in symptoms and clinical signs of lichen sclerosus, while showing significant improvement in life quality and in sexual function (p<0.001). Conclusions: Autologous fat grafting is an effective and safe method for the treatment of lichen sclerosus of the vulva, but the duration of benefits is still unknown. It is an invasive procedure, to be proposed in selected cases.