Clinical observation on electroacupuncture at "four points of sacral region" on moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical therapeutic effect between electroacupuncture at "four points of sacral region" and transurethral Erbium laser in treatment of moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy.@*METHODS@#A total of 68 patients of moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy were divided into an electroacupuncture group (34 cases) and an Erbium laser group (34 cases, 3 cases dropped off) according to the settings. In the electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture was applied at "four points of sacral region", i.e. points of 0.5 cun beside bilateral sacrococcygeal joints and bilateral Huiyang (BL 35), with continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency, 60 min each time, once every other day, 3 times a week, 12 times as one course of treatment. In the Erbium laser group, transurethral Erbium laser technology was given, once every 4 weeks as one course of treatment. Both groups were treated for 5 courses. The scores of the International Consultation on Incontinence questionnaire-short form (ICI-Q-SF) and the incontinence quality of life questionnaire (I-QOL) were observed before treatment, after each course of treatment and in follow-up after 1 and 2 months of treatment completion, respectively, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared with those before treatment, the ICI-Q-SF scores were decreased while the I-QOL scores were increased after 5 courses of treatment and in follow-up after 1, 2 months of treatment completion in the two groups (P<0.01). The ICI-Q-SF score in follow-up after 2 months of treatment completion were higher than that after 5 courses of treatment in the Erbium laser group (P<0.05). After 3, 4, 5 courses of treatment and in follow-up after 1 and 2 months of treatment completion, the ICI-Q-SF scores in the electroacupuncture group were lower than those in the Erbium laser group (P<0.05, P<0.01); after 2, 3, 4, 5 courses of treatment and in follow-up after 1 and 2 months of treatment completion, the I-QOL scores in the electroacupuncture group were higher than those in the Erbium laser group (P<0.01). The change ranges of ICI-Q-SF score and I-QOL score between before treatment and after each course of treatment in the electroacupuncture group were lager than those in the Erbium laser group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The total effective rate was 61.8% (21/34) in the electroacupuncture group, which was superior to 19.4 (6/31) in the Erbium laser group (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Both electroacupuncture at "four points of sacral region" and transurethral Erbium laser can improve the clinical symptoms and the quality of life in patients of moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. The short-term efficacy and long-term efficacy of electroacupuncture are superior to the Erbium laser technology.

Efficacy of Pixel 2 940 nm erbium laser combined with VB12 in treatment of acne pitting scar / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of pixel 2 940 nm erbium laser combined with vitamin B12 in the treatment of acne sunken scar.Methods:From July 2017 to June 2019, 96 patients with acne sunken scar were treated in the Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery of the Second People＇s Hospital of Jiaozuo City, Henan Province. They were randomly divided into two groups with 48 cases in each group. The control group was treated with routine therapy and the observation group was treated with pixel 2 940 nm erbium laser combined with vitamin B12. The therapeutic effects, acne scar weight score (ECCA), skin condition and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results:The total effective rate of the control group was 77.08% (37/48), which was lower than that of the observation group 91.67% (44/48) ( P<0.05); The incidence of adverse reactions, pore and amethyst in ECCA score of the control group were (18.14±9.33), 18.75% (9/48), (32.25±8.41) and (18.24±5.12), which were higher than those of the observation group (26.45±12.60), 4.17% (2/48), (28.24±7.52) and (15.63±4.34) ( P<0.05), respectively. Conclusions:Pixel 2 940 nm erbium laser combined with vitamin B12 is effective in the treatment of acne sunken scar, with less adverse reactions and high safety. It is worthy of clinical application.

Láser erbium vaginal como tratamiento del síndrome genitourinario de la menopausia: resultados preliminares / Erbium vaginal laser as a treatment for genitourinary syndrome of menopause: preliminary results

ANTECEDENTES: El síndrome genitourinario de la menopausia (SGM) afecta hasta el 50% de las mujeres posmenopáusicas. Sus síntomas presentan un curso crónico y progresivo, pudiendo alterar significativamente la sexualidad y la calidad de vida. OBJETIVO: Evaluar efectividad a corto plazo y aceptabilidad del láser vaginal de Erbium en cristal de itrio-aluminio-granate (Er:YAG) como una terapia fototérmica no invasiva, no ablativa para el manejo del SGM. MÉTODO: Estudio longitudinal prospectivo, realizado en 28 mujeres posmenopáusicas con SGM. Se aplica láser vaginal Er:YAG en 3 sesiones cada 30 días. En todos los controles, se evalúa sequedad vaginal, dispareunia mediante escala visual analógica, y se registra el "vaginal health index score" (VHIS). Al final del tratamiento se evalúa la aceptabilidad del método. RESULTADOS: Se observa mejoría significativa de los síntomas (sequedad vaginal y dispareunia; p<0,01) durante todo el periodo de estudio y del VHIS (8,2 ± 1,3 previo al tratamiento vs. 19,2 ± 0,4 posterior al tratamiento; p<0,01). El 93,4% de las pacientes calificó el procedimiento como excelente o bueno. CONCLUSIÓN: Nuestro estudio piloto muestra que el tratamiento con láser Er:YAG en mujeres posmenopáusicas con síntomas de SGM es eficaz, factible y seguro en el corto plazo. Se requieren datos a más largo plazo y de mayor tamaño muestral para confirmar nuestros resultados.

BACKGROUND: The genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) affects up to 50% of postmenopausal women. Symptoms are chronic and likely worsen over time. This complains may interfere with sexual function and quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short-term effectiveness and acceptability of Erbium in yttrium aluminum-garnet crystal Laser (Er:YAG) as a non-invasive, non-ablative photothermal therapy for the treatment of GSM. METHODS: Prospective longitudinal study performed in 28 postmenopausal women suffering from GSM. All participants were treated intravaginally with Er:YAG laser in 3 applications performed every 30 days. Symptoms (vaginal dryness and dyspareunia) were evaluated by a visual-analogic scale (VAS) and the vaginal health index score (VHIS). After therapy, the women were asked to evaluate the acceptability of the intervention. RESULTS: Er:YAG laser treatment was effective to improve symptoms (vaginal dryness and dyspareunia; p<0.01) at all the study period, as well the VHIS (8.2 ± 1.3 at baseline vs. 19.2 ± 0.4 after treatment; p<0.01). Satisfaction with the procedure was reported as excellent or good by 93.4% of women. CONCLUSION: Our pilot study shows that the Er:YAG treatment in postmenopausal women with GSM is effective, feasible, and safe. Further larger, long-term and controlled studies are required to confirm this data.

Evaluation of an ablative and non-ablative laser procedure in the treatment of striae distensae.

Background: Striae distensae or stretch marks are atrophic linear dermal scars with epidermal atrophy. There are many therapeutic options for management, but no consistently effective modality is available yet. Objective: We compared the efficacy of 1064 nm long pulse (LP) Nd: YAG laser and 2940 nm variable square pulse (VSP) erbium: YAG laser in the treatment of striae distensae. Methods: Twenty female volunteers (Fitzpatrick skin types II-V) aged between 20 and 40 years with striae (3 patients with the rubra type and 17 with the alba type) were enrolled in the study. The duration of striae ranged from 4 months to 12 years. Lesions were located on the abdomen in all patients except one patient who had striae on the arms and two patients with striae in the lumbar region. Treatments were randomly allocated to both sides of the body in each patient, one side being treated with VSP erbium: YAG laser and the opposite side with LP Nd: YAG laser. All subjects were treated monthly for a total of three treatments. Two 3-mm punch biopsies were obtained from six subjects, both of the same striae, one before the first treatment and one 4 weeks after the last session. Results: Response was evaluated clinically by photographic comparison and was found to be poor in 17 subjects, both on the LP Nd: YAG laser treated side and VSP erbium YAG laser treated side. All these patients had mature lesions (striae distensae alba). Three subjects had a moderate response on both sides; these patients' striae were immature (striae distensae rubra). Histologically, elastic fibers were slightly increased in post-treatment samples compared with pretreatment skin biopsies. Conclusion: We observed no satisfactory clinical improvement in striae distensae alba lesions although histopathological changes were seen. We suggest that variable square pulse Er: YAG and long pulse Nd: YAG lasers are not useful in the treatment of striae distensae alba.

Efeito do preparo cavitário com laser de Er:YAG e materiais que liberam flúor na prevenção de lesões de cárie / Effect of cavity preparation with Er:YAG laser and fluoride releasing materials on the prevention of caries lesion

O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a influência da técnica de preparo cavitário e de materiais restauradores contendo flúor na prevenção da secundária. Dentes humanos foram seccionados em 72 blocos e distribuídos em dois grupos. Cavidades com 1,6 mm de diâmetro foram preparadas com pontas diamantadas ou laser de Er:YAG laser (6 Hz, 300 mJ, 47 J.cm elevado a 2). Cada grupo foi dividido em três subgrupos e restaurados com cimento de ionômero de vidro, ionômero de vidro modificado por resina ou uma resina composta. Os espécimes foram termociclados e submetidos a ciclagem de pH. As lesões de cárie artificial foram ranqueadas utilizando uma escala ordinal por inspeção visual. Os testes de Kruskal-Wallis e Dunn (α = 0,05) não demonstraram diferenças no desenvolvimento de lesões entre as cavidades resturadas com o mesmo material e preparadas com pontas diamantadas ou laser de Er:YAG laser. O laser de Er:YAG utilizado para o preparo cavitário com 6 Hz, 300 mJ, 47 J.cm elevado a 2 não demonstrou a habilidade de garantir maior ácido resistência aos preparo.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the cavity preparation technique and fluoride-containing restorative materials on the prevention of the secondary caries. Human teeth were sectioned into 72 blocks and distributed into 2 groups. Cavities measuring 1.6 mm were performed with diamond burs or Er:YAG laser (6 Hz, 300 mJ, 47 J.cm to the -2 power). Each group was divided into 3 sub-groups, and restored with a glass-ionomer cement, resinmodified glass-ionomer, or composite resin. The specimens were thermal cycled and submitted to pH cycling. Artificial caries were scored using an ordinal scale based on visual inspection. Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn test ((α = 0,05) showed no differences in the caries lesion development between the cavities restored with the same material and prepared with diamond burs or Er:YAG laser. The Er:YAG laser used for cavity preparation used with 6 Hz, 300 mJ, 47 J.cm to the -2 power did not show the ability to guarantee significantly more acid-resistance against acid challenge.

Tratamento da hipercromia cutânea idiopática da região orbital com Erbium Laser: uma avaliação retrospectiva / Treatment of idiopathic cutaneous hyperchromia of the orbital region (ICHOR) with Erbium Laser: a retrospective assessment

Introdução: a hipercromia cutânea idiopática da região orbital dá um aspecto cansado à face. Sua etiologia ainda não é bem entendida. Causas primárias incluem hiperpigmentação da derme, por depósitos de melanina, ou pela vascularização superficial visível através da pele palpebral inferior. Causas secundárias são associadas com doenças sistêmicas e autoimunes. As opções de tratamento são muito vastas, com o laser sendo relativamente recente. Objetivos: o objetivodesteestudo é avaliar os resultados, a longo prazo, com o uso do Er:YAG(erbium) laser, nadiminuiçãodahiperpigmentação periorbital. Métodos: dez pacientes, incluindo oito mulheres e dois homens, foram submetidos ao tratamento da região periorbital usando Erbum:YAG laser, entre 2003 e 2006. Os pacientes foram avaliados comA e B períodos após o procedimento. Os critérios de avaliação incluíram a redução da pigmentação periorbital e a satisfação do paciente. Resultados: o tratamento com Er:YAG laser mostrou redução da hipercromia periorbital efetiva, com significativa melhora precoce e tardia, além da manutenção dos resultados, durante o período de avaliação, com satisfação dos pacientes. Discussão: a ablação com o Er:YAG laser mostrou-se efetiva na redução da hipercromia idiopática periorbital, com resultados duradouros. Complicações menores e raras incluíram hiperpigmentação transitória, pigmentação residual e leve hipocromia, em alguns casos.

Introduction: idiopathic Cutaneous Hypercromia of the Orbital Region (HCIRO),give a sad, tired aspect to face. Its etiopathology is to date still not well understood. Primary causes include hyperpigmentation from dermal deposits of melanin, or from superficial vascularization that is visible through the lower palpebral skin. Secondary causes are associated with systemic and autoimmune disorders. Treatment for HCIRO varies greatly, with laser treatment being relatively recent. Objectives: theobjective of this study was to clinically evaluate the long-term results of treatment using the Er:YAG (erbium)laser to diminish idiopathic periorbital hyperpigmentation. Methods: ten patients, eight females and two males underwent treatment of the periorbital region using ablative Erbium: YAG laser treatment between 2003 and 2006. The patients were evaluated at 2 and 6 month and 2-5 years post-procedure. The evaluation criteria included clinical reduction of periorbital pigmentation and patient satisfaction. Results: the treatment with Er:YAG laser, reduction of idiopathic periorbital hyperchromia was effective at early and long-term evaluation points, with the results being maintained during the period of evaluation with good patient satisfaction. Discussion: ablative treatment with Er:YAG laser was found to be effective in reduction of idiopathic periorbital hyperchromia, with a long-lasting result. Complications were minorandrare, and included mild hyperpigmentation, residual pigment, and hipopigmentation.