Diode laser assisted transcervical tubal sterilization: an in vivo study in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the sterilization effectiveness of endoluminal tubal photocoagulation on tubal lumen obliteration.


METHODS
Twenty-four female rabbits were subjected to laparotomy and hysterotomy. Endoluminal tubal photocoagulation was induced over a length of 3 cm in the proximal, extramural fallopian tube by using a cylindrical diffusing tip that emitted diode laser radiation at 805 and 980 nm wavelengths. Tubal patency was evaluated by observing patterns of injected methylene blue and/or breeding success rates.


RESULTS
Postoperative recovery was uneventful in all animals. Evidence of occlusion of the tubal lumen included a negative methylene blue test in all 12 tubes treated (tubal occlusion rate 100%) and failure to conceive in 17 of 18 uteri (contraception rate 94.5%). Although identical power settings were used, distinctly lower tubal surface temperatures (about 10 degrees C) were obtained with the 805 nm diode laser as compared to the 980 nm diode laser.


CONCLUSIONS
The described endoluminal tubal photocoagulation method using a diode laser emitting longer wavelengths (e.g., 980 nm) is suitable for safe and effective sterilization in rabbits and has potential as a new transcervical tubal sterilization method for humans.
Spörri
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bern, Schanzeneckstrasse 1, 3012 Bern, Switzerland. spoerris@hopcantfr.ch
Bell
B
B
Yandell
R
R
Motamedi
M
M
D000818:Animals; D002404:Catheterization; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000601:surgery*; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007813:Laparotomy; D008028:Light Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D023421:Models, Animal; D011817:Rabbits; D013246:Sterilization, Tubal / Q000379:methods*