title: Fractional CO2Laser: From Skin Rejuvenation to Vulvo-Vaginal Reshaping.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The CO2laser has become the gold standard treatment in dermatologic surgery for the treatment of a large number of skin and mucosal lesions. The introduction of the fractional micro-ablative technology represented an integration to the ablative resurfacing technique, reducing the healing time and the side effects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Vaginal rejuvenation performed with this technique is a minimally invasive procedure that stimulates internal tissues of the female lower genital tract to regenerate the mucosa, improving tissue trophism and restoring the correct functionality.
  
  
  METHODS
  In our experience, 386 menopausal women affected with vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA) were treated with three section of fractional micro-ablative CO2laser.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After three treatments, patients reported a complete improvement of the symptoms (59.94% dryness, 56.26% burn, sensation, 48.75% dyspareunia, 56.37% itch, 73.15% soreness, and 48.79% vaginal introitus pain).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fractional micro-ablative CO2laser seems to reduce symptoms related to vaginal atrophy. The beneficial effects were reported just after the first session and confirmed 12 months after the last session.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Hospital State of Republic of San Marino , San Marino, Republic of San Marino.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Filippini
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Dermatology, University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome, Italy .
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Del Duca
authors.affiliation: 3 Dermatology Center srl , Bologna, Italy .|4 "Laser in Dermatology, " University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome, Italy .
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Negosanti
authors.affiliation: 5 Section of Dermatology, Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence , Ospedale "Piero Palagi," Florence, Italy .
authors.forename: Diletta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bonciani
authors.affiliation: 6 Division of Plastic Surgery, S.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital Bologna , Bologna, Italy .
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Negosanti
authors.affiliation: 4 "Laser in Dermatology, " University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome, Italy .
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sannino
authors.affiliation: 4 "Laser in Dermatology, " University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome, Italy .
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cannarozzo
authors.affiliation: 4 "Laser in Dermatology, " University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome, Italy .|7 Dermatology Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Grecia" University of Catanzaro , Catanzaro, Italy .
authors.forename: Steven Paul
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Nisticò
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058629:Plasma Skin Regeneration / Q000379:methods*; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D014844:Vulva / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: fractional micro-ablative laser CO2 technology; genitourinary syndrome; vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA); vulvo-vaginal rejuvenation