Fat Tissue Treatment Shows Rapid Healing in Severe Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus
Davide De Vita, Carmen Sciorio, Serena Spartano · SIGO National Congress · 2016
First Published Case Uses Patient's Own Fat Cells for Vulvar Repair
This groundbreaking case study from Italy documents the first-ever use of Lipogems® technology to treat severe vulvar lichen sclerosus. Researchers presented this work at the 2016 SIGO National Congress. The patient had suffered for years with this painful condition and had not responded to standard treatments.
Patient Had Exhausted Traditional Treatment Options
The 66-year-old patient had lived with vulvar lichen sclerosus for several years. Her symptoms included:
Painful intercourse that made intimacy impossible
Burning pain when urine touched abraded skin
Visible skin damage with the classic "figure-of-eight" pattern around the vulva and anus
Early scarring and tissue tightening
She had tried multiple treatments over 18 months. These included cortisone creams, testosterone cream, vitamin E, estrogen therapy, and oral vitamin A. None provided lasting relief. A biopsy confirmed no cancer was present.
Simple Outpatient Procedure Under Local Anesthesia
The treatment involved a minimally invasive procedure performed in May 2016. Doctors first collected a small amount of fat tissue from the patient's abdomen using gentle liposuction. They then processed this tissue using the Lipogems® system. This special technique breaks down fat into tiny fragments while preserving the natural healing cells within it.
The processed tissue was then injected into the most affected vulvar areas. These included the fourchette (the tissue near the vaginal opening), the inner labia, and the area around the clitoris. The patient went home within 24 hours. She experienced no complications during or after the procedure.
Dramatic Improvement Seen Within Just Two Weeks
The results were remarkable. Within only 15 days, the patient reported significant changes:
No more burning pain during urination
No pain when the vulvar area was touched
Skin abrasions had healed completely
No visible scarring or tissue tightening remained
Skin color returned to healthy pink
Vulvar tissues became soft and supple again
Why Fat Tissue May Work for This Condition
The researchers chose this approach because of the unique properties of cells found in fat tissue. These cells, called mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), can help repair damaged tissue in several ways. They encourage new cell growth, reduce inflammation, and support the formation of new blood vessels.
The Lipogems® processing method is particularly important. Unlike treatments that use enzymes to break down fat, this mechanical technique keeps the cells in their natural environment. Research shows this preserves tiny messenger particles called exosomes. These particles help cells communicate and coordinate healing. Studies suggest non-enzymatic processing keeps significantly more of these helpful particles intact.
What This Means for Patients with Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus
This case study offers hope for patients who have not found relief with standard treatments. While this represents just one patient, the rapid and complete response is encouraging. The treatment uses your own tissue, eliminating any risk of rejection or allergic reaction.
The authors note that mesenchymal stem cells have been successfully used in many other medical applications. These include cartilage repair, bone healing, and cardiac tissue regeneration. Their immunomodulating properties (ability to calm overactive immune responses) may be especially relevant for lichen sclerosus. This condition is believed to involve immune system dysfunction.
As with any emerging treatment, more research with larger patient groups will help confirm these promising findings. However, this first case demonstrates that Lipogems® technology may offer a new option for patients struggling with this challenging condition.
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Source: De Vita et al., SIGO National Congress, 2016.
Original Publication
Autologous adipose tissue graft in the vulva in severe vulvar lichen sclerosus atrophicus: clinical case
Davide De Vita, Carmen Sciorio, Serena Spartano · SIGO National Congress · 2016
This case report describes the first published use of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells for treating severe vulvar lichen sclerosus atrophicus resistant to conventional therapy. A 66-year-old woman with longstanding vulvar lichen sclerosus experienced dyspareunia, dysuria, and chronic pain despite 18 months of standard treatments including topical corticosteroids, testosterone propionate, vitamin E, and hormone therapy. Physical examination revealed characteristic figure-of-eight lesions with abrasions, fibrous retraction, and skin changes; biopsy excluded neoplasia. In May 2016, the patient underwent lipoaspiration of abdominal adipose tissue under local anesthesia, followed by non-enzymatic processing using the Lipogems® technique to preserve mesenchymal stem cells and exosomes. The processed tissue was injected into affected vulvar areas including the fourchette, labia minora, and periclitoral region. Within 15 days post-treatment, the patient reported complete resolution of dysuria and vulvar pain, with objective findings showing absence of lesions, improved tissue color and elasticity, and no fibrous retraction. The authors propose that mesenchymal stem cells' proliferative, differentiating, and immunomodulatory properties, particularly through exosome secretion, promote tissue regeneration in this chronic degenerative condition. This novel approach demonstrates potential as an alternative treatment for refractory vulvar lichen sclerosus.