title: Pudendal Neuralgia: A New Option for Treatment? Preliminary Results on Feasibility and Efficacy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the feasibility and report the short-term results of a new procedure for treatment of pudendal neuralgia, consisting of transperineal injections of autologous adipose tissue with stem cells along the Alcock's canal.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen women with pudendal neuralgia not responsive to 3-months medical therapy were examined clinically, with VAS score, validated SF-36 questionnaire, and pudendal nerve motor terminal latency (PNMTL). These patients were submitted to pudendal nerve lipofilling. Clinical examinations with VAS, SF36, and PNTML were scheduled during 12 months follow-up, with the incidence of pain recurrence (VAS > 5) as primary outcome measure. Appropriate tests were used for statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients had preoperative increase of pudendal nerve latencies. Twelve patients completed the follow-up protocol. There was no mortality, and no complications. Two patients had no pain improvement and continued to use analgesic drugs. At 12 months VAS significantly improved (3.2 ± 0.6 vs 8.1 ± 0.9, P < 0.001), as well SF36 (75.5 ± 4.1 vs 85.0 ± 4.5 preoperative, P < 0.01), while PNTML showed a nonsignificant trend to a better nerve conduction (2.64 ± 0.04 vs 2.75 ± 0.03 preoperative, P = 0.06).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new technique seems to be easy, with low risk of complications, and with significant improvement of symptoms in the short period. A larger study with appropriate controls and longer follow-up is now needed to assess its real effectiveness.
authors: Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Section of Surgery, Università degli Studi di Milano.|Department of General and Emergency Surgery, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy.
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Venturi
authors: Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Section of Surgery, Università degli Studi di Milano.|Department of General and Emergency Surgery, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy.
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Boccasanta
authors: Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Section of Surgery, Università degli Studi di Milano.|Department of General and Emergency Surgery, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy.
authors: Bruno
authors: B
authors: Lombardi
authors: Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Section of Surgery, Università degli Studi di Milano.|Department of General and Emergency Surgery, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy.
authors: Max
authors: M
authors: Brambilla
authors: Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Section of Surgery, Università degli Studi di Milano.|Department of General and Emergency Surgery, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy.
authors: Ettore
authors: E
authors: Contessini Avesani
authors: Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Section of Surgery, Università degli Studi di Milano.|Department of General and Emergency Surgery, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy.
authors: Contardo
authors: C
authors: Vergani
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000637:transplantation*; D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D060525:Pudendal Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D060545:Pudendal Neuralgia / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Lipofilling; Pudendal Neuralgia; Stem Cells