The AESTHETICS 2023; 4(1): 21-25
Published online April 30, 2023
https://doi.org/10.46738/Aesthetics.2023.4.1.21
© Korean Association For Laser Dermatology And Trichology
Junam Kim, MD1, Kyu-Ho Yi, MD, PhD2, Wooju Jeong, MD3
1NEOU Female Urologic Clinic, Seoul, Korea
2Division in Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Department of Oral Biology, Human Identification Research Institute, BK21 FOUR Project, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Korea
3Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA
Correspondence to: Wooju Jeong
Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
E-mail: wjeong1@hfhs.org
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4333-541X
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non- Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Background and Objectives
Myofascial pelvic pain is a major component of chronic pelvic pain. Effective treatments are available to reduce pain, including myofascial tender point release. The study investigated the safety, feasibility and early outcomes of releasing myofascial tender point by polydioxanone thread and platelet rich plasma treatment in myofascial pelvic pain patients.
Materials and Methods
Twenty myofascial pelvic pain patients underwent polydioxanone thread and platelet rich plasma treatment. After autologous platelet rich plasma was injected into the pelvic muscles through vaginal access, a multi-braided polydioxanone thread was inserted into the middle and deep layers of the pelvic muscles. Pre- and post-procedural satisfaction surveys and Female Sexual Function Index scores (FSFI) were obtained. Vaginal manometry measured mobility and pressure of pelvic floor muscles. The patients were followed-up at 3 and 6 months after the procedure.
Results
At 3-months after the procedure, 65% of the patients answered positively on the improvement of symptoms and tenderness, 35% answered no difference, and none answered worsening. At this period, FSFI did not show a significant change in any of the six categories. After six months, however, there was a statistically significant improvement in all the indices except for sexual desire (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
Pelvic floor muscle targeted polydioxanone thread insertion and platelet rich plasma injection is safe and feasible, and may minimize pelvic pain without side effects such as infection or bleeding. It may potentially improve urinary control and sexual function by releasing myofascial tenderness.
Keywords: Polydioxanone, Platelet rich plasma, Pelvic pain, Dyspareunia, Hypertonic pelvic floor dysfunction