Diode laser assisted transcervical tubal sterilization: An in vivo study in rabbits

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. 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. Lasers Surg. Med. 29:379–385, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.