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. 2024 Oct;310(4):1997-2006.
doi: 10.1007/s00404-024-07671-3. Epub 2024 Aug 21.

Pulsating electromagnetic fields for perineal lacerations and surgical wounds healing in the postpartum: a pilot study

Ilma Floriana Carbone  1 , Francesca Maria Paola Gigli  2 , Gabriele Rossi  1 , Valentina Romagnoli  3 , Benedetta Gallicola  3 , Flavia Sandi  3 , Giovanna Esposito  3 , Enrico Mario Ferrazzi  3
Affiliations

Pulsating electromagnetic fields for perineal lacerations and surgical wounds healing in the postpartum: a pilot study

Ilma Floriana Carbone et al. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2024 Oct.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of our study was to assess the possible benefits of Therapeutic Magnetic Resonance (TMR) in the treatment of spontaneous perineal lacerations and episiotomies in the postpartum.

Methods: We performed a prospective, non-pharmacologic, non-profit, monocentric interventional study on women who had a spontaneous laceration and/or an episiotomy at delivery. The TMR device treatment was accepted by 52 women, while 120 women underwent standard care. Patients were visited 1 day postpartum, before starting the treatment; then a follow-up visit was performed at 3 weeks, 5 weeks, and 3 months after delivery. The main endpoint was the time required for complete healing of the laceration and/or the episiotomy. Secondary endpoints were the prevalence of dehiscence, infections, urinary discomfort, urinary leakage, and the quality of restoration of sexual function.

Results: In the treatment group the REEDA score was significantly better both at 3- and 5-weeks postpartum follow-up. At 3 weeks and 5 weeks postpartum, we observed a significantly better outcome in the treatment group for all subjective complaints and perineal complications associated with lacerations and episiotomies. The percentage of patients who scored above the cutoff for sexual dysfunction was significantly better in the treatment group (83.3%) than in the control group (31.8%) (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: With this pilot study, we introduced low dose Pulsating Electromagnetic Fields (PEMFs) as a novel conservative and not pharmacological approach to reduce complications of perineal lesions. Our results demonstrated to significantly improve perineal wound healing and to ameliorate the sexual function in the postpartum.

Keywords: Episiotomy; Perineal tears; Therapeutic Magnetic Resonance.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests with any financial organization regarding the material discussed in the manuscript.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
FSFI score is expressed as median (interquartile range, IQR). *Wilcoxon rank-sum test
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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