Is carbon dioxide laser treatment of lichen sclerosus effective in the long run?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the long-term results after carbon dioxide laser treatment of lichen sclerosus.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We evaluated 62 consecutive patients with histologically verified lichen sclerosus admitted between 1985 and 1991. All patients were treated with a carbon dioxide laser with an output of 15-20 W and a defocused beam. This treatment vaporized the macroscopically altered area of the glans penis. Phimosis and superficial meatal stenosis were treated at the same session. Fifty-three men were still alive in 2004, and we were able to contact 50 of them (94%). The patients were asked about recurrence of symptoms, any visible penile lesion and recurrence of meatal stenosis. All patients who reported symptoms were invited to visit the outpatient clinic for further examination.

RESULTS

The median follow-up time was 14 years. At follow-up, 40 patients (80%) had no local symptoms and no visible lesion. Ten patients had minor symptoms but only two required further treatment.

CONCLUSION

Long-term follow-up of carbon dioxide laser treatment of lichen sclerosus shows that the treatment is safe and gives good results.