title: Nd:YAG coagulation of the verumontanum: an endoscopic attempt at sterilization.
abstract: In order to develop a new and less invasive method of sterilization in men we performed photocoagulation of the verumontanum in 10 rams, using a Nd:YAG laser, wavelength 1,060 nm. Under general anesthesia a perineal urethro-cutaneous fistula was achieved, and, by means of a 16F laser-endoscope, transurethral coagulation of the ejaculatory ducts, located in the verumontanum, was carried out, using pulses of 1.5 sec in duration and 20-30 W in power. The animals were killed at different postoperative time intervals, ranging from 1 day to 8 weeks. Injection of methylene-blue into the testicular ducts of the resected prostate-bladder specimen and histologic studies of the coagulated tissue revealed that complete bilateral occlusion of the ejaculatory ducts had been achieved in 4 rams. Failures were due to over-extended irradiation of the verumontanum. Except for urinary tract infections occurring in 4 animals, no serious complications were encountered. Further investigations are still necessary to determine the role of lasers in male sterilization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Military Hospital, Ulm, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Krämer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beckert
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Treiber
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004543:Ejaculatory Ducts / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004724:Endoscopy; D008028:Light Coagulation; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology; D012756:Sheep; D013245:Sterilization, Reproductive / Q000379:methods*; D014521:Urethra / Q000473:pathology; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000473:pathology