Laser Treatment for Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus

The object of this non-randomized, prospective study is to assess the effectiveness of ablative fractional 2940 nm laser treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus.

Aim 1: To assess physical and histological changes related to vulvar lichen sclerosus before and after laser treatment.

Aim 2: To evaluate participant satisfaction for laser treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus.

The results of this study will determine whether fractional 2940 nm laser is an effective treatment option for lichen sclerosus, particularly for those participants not eligible for high-dose topical steroids or who have failed prior treatment with topical steroids.

This will be a non-randomized, open-label, prospective study. Participants will be recruited in general and subspecialty obstetrics and gynecology clinics. Participants who meet all eligibility criteria, including providing written informed consent, will have three treatment visits and three follow-up visits in an outpatient setting. Participants will not be charged for any treatments.

At each treatment visit, participants will be asked to complete questionnaires to assess their symptoms. The investigators will also take photographs of the affected area at each treatment visit. Photographs will include only the area of lichen sclerosus, such that individuals cannot be identified in the photographs. Participant photographs will be taken using the BIDMC PhotoConsult iOS application that allows providers to upload photographs to a patient's online medical record through a secure application.

Women with biopsy-proven lichen sclerosus will be treated with the ProFractional hand piece using the sapphire plate stand-off (Sciton, Inc. Palo, Alto, CA). The laser energy is delivered in a scanning fractional pattern to ablate microchannels in tissue to allow faster healing. Treatment will be delivered in 3 sessions scheduled 4 weeks (+/- 1 week) apart.

Prior to receiving treatment, topical 4% lidocaine anesthetic will be applied to the affected area for 20-30 minutes and then wiped away. The treatment area will be cleaned and dried of any moisture prior to treatment. The disinfected standoff with sapphire plate will then be applied to the ProFractional hand piece. Based on the biopsy results, the appropriate ablation depth will be inputted with 11% treatment density selected. Each treatment will include two passes of the laser over the affected area.

* Treatment visit 1, month 0: On the first pass, the depth of the laser will be from 300 to 500 microns, or the thickness of 3 to 5 sheets of paper; the depth will be based on the biopsy that was used to diagnosis the lichen sclerosus. On the second pass, the depth will be 50 microns deeper than the first pass and the hand piece rotated 45˚.
* Treatment visit 2, month 1: The first pass of the laser will be the same depth as the second pass from the last visit. The second pass will be 50 microns deeper and the hand piece rotated 45˚.
* Treatment visit 3, month 2: The first pass of the laser will be the same depth as the second pass from the last visit. The second pass will be 50 microns deeper and the hand piece rotated 45˚.

Participants will return for follow-up visits at 1, 3, and 6 months (months 3, 6 and 9 of the study) following the third treatment.

* Follow-up visit 1, month 3

  * Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires to assess outcomes.
  * The investigators will take photographs of the affected area.
* Follow-up visit 2, month 6

  * Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires to assess outcomes.
  * The investigators will take photographs of the affected area.
  * Biopsy of area with lichen sclerosus; the biopsy will be done the same way as the one that was done to diagnosis your lichen sclerosus
* Follow-up visit 6, month 9

  * Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires to assess outcomes.
  * The investigators will take photographs of the affected area.

Eligibility Criteria:
We are currently recruiting Massachusetts residents only due to COVID-19.

Inclusion Criteria:

* Female
* Aged 18 years old or older
* Biopsy-proven active vulvar lichen sclerosus
* Characteristic changes of vulvar lichen sclerosus on gynecological exam
* Self-reported indication of one or more of the following symptoms of lichen sclerosus

  * Dryness
  * Itching
  * Burning
  * Bleeding
  * Blistering
  * Soreness
  * Easily bruises
  * Easily tears
  * Ulcerated lesions
  * Painful intercourse
* Ability to complete questionnaires in English
* Written, informed consent
* Willing and able to logistically follow schedule of treatments and follow-up visits

Exclusion Criteria:

* Receiving systemic immunosuppressant's (e.g. corticosteroids) within 4 weeks of enrollment
* Use of topical vulvar steroid-containing creams at the affected area within 4 weeks of enrollment
* Immunocompromised (e.g. lymphoma, AIDS, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
* History of uncontrolled malignant disease
* Additional genital skin disease
* Known allergy or intolerance to topical anesthesia
* Known history of connective tissue disease
* Known propensity for keloid formations