Safety and Feasibility of Autologous Micro-Fragmented Adipose Tissue Injections for the Treatment of Vaginal Atrophy, Vulvovaginal Dystrophy, and Stress Urinary Incontinence: An Observational Case Series

• Main Authors: Laura Stark, Mira Razzaque, Jeannie Yoon, Mehrnoosh Aref-Adib, Miles Banwell, Shohreh Beski
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: European Medical Journal 2020-05-01
• Series: European Medical Journal Urology
• Subjects: mesenchymal stem cells; stress urinary incontinence (sui); vaginal atrophy; vulvovaginal dystrophy
• Online Access: https://www.emjreviews.com/urology/article/safety-and-feasibility-of-autologous-micro-fragmented-adipose-tissue-injections-for-the-treatment-of-vaginal-atrophy-vulvovaginal-dystrophy-and-stress-urinary-incontinence-an-observational-case-s/

Objective: Vaginal atrophy, vulvovaginal dystrophy, and stress urinary incontinence (SUI), common conditions in women, have detrimental effects on quality of life. Current treatments require ongoing use and are associated with risks, complications, and incomplete resolution of symptoms. The aim of this observational case series was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of autologous micro-fragmented adipose tissue injections for the treatment of vaginal atrophy, vulvovaginal dystrophy, and SUI in women. Methods: Ten women affected by vaginal atrophy, vulvovaginal dystrophy, and/or SUI were injected into their affected areas with harvested and processed autologous micro-fragmented adipose tissue. Symptoms, diagnoses, previous treatments, and gynaecological surgeries were considered. Outcomes were measured using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF), the Vulvovaginal Symptoms Questionnaire (VSQ), and the Short-Form 12 (SF-12) health survey. Information gained from discussion and clinical examination at consultations was also used to measure outcomes. Results: No adverse events or complications were reported during the intraoperative, recovery, postoperative, or follow-up periods. No signs of infection, pain, dysuria, skin irregularities, skin discolouration, discharge, or worsening of symptoms were reported. All 10 women reported an improvement of symptoms within 6–16 months of the planned follow-up period. Conclusions: Autologous micro-fragmented adipose tissue injections appeared to be safe and feasible and may have a positive role in the treatment of the physical signs and symptoms of vaginal atrophy, vulvovaginal dystrophy, and SUI.