Dystrophy of the vulva locally treated with 13-cis retinoic acid

Topical application of 13-cis retinoic acid resulted in complete disappearance of dystrophy of the vulva in 33 out of 53 patients, among them in 9 patients with recurrence after vulvectomy and in 14 patients with previous unsuccessful conservative treatment. Partial disappearance of dystrophy was seen in 15 patients, usually after 1 to 2 months of daily retinoid treatment. Side-effects of treatment (except for one) could be managed. Serum retinol level in patients was found to be lower as compared to that in healthy subjects. The results suggest that patients with chronic epithelial vulvar dystrophies could benefit from local retinol treatment, especially in cases with recurrence after vulvectomy and in cases with advanced dystrophies qualified until now for vulvectomy.