Abstract
Background and Objective: To investigate the sterilization effectiveness of endoluminal tubal photocoagulation on tubal lumen obliteration. Study Design/Materials and 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°C) were obtained with the 805 nm diode laser as compared to the 980 nm diode laser. Conclusion: 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.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 379-385 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Lasers in Surgery and Medicine |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2001 |
Keywords
- Coagulation
- Contraception
- Diffusing tip
- Endotubal
- Fallopian tube
- Female
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
- Dermatology