Lysis of Postoperative Pelvic Adhesions in Infertility**Presented in part at the Thirty-Fourth Annual Meeting of The American Fertility Society, March 29 to April 1, 1978, New Orleans, La

Sunitinib reduces recurrent pelvic adhesions in a rabbit model

BACKGROUND

Adhesions represent a major problem after abdominal and pelvic procedures. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of sunitinib (Sutent, SU11248), a Food and Drug Administration-approved receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on recurrent pelvic adhesion formation after pelvic adhesiolysis in a rabbit model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 20 New Zealand white rabbits underwent a uterine abrasion procedure, followed by an adhesiolysis procedure 4 weeks later. Before adhesiolysis, the rabbits were randomized to sunitinib at 10 mg/kg/d or placebo. These were administered as 1 dose preoperatively followed by 10 doses postoperatively. The rabbits were killed 30 d after the adhesiolysis procedure. At death, the adhesions were scored, and a total adhesion score (presented as the median and interquartile range [IQR]) was calculated according to the percentage of uterine involvement and the tenacity of the adhesions.

RESULTS

All the rabbits survived the operative procedures without complications. The sunitinib-treated rabbits (n = 10) had a significantly lower uterine involvement score (median 2.0, IQR 1.0-3.0) than the placebo-treated rabbits (median 4.0, IQR 3.0-4.0; P = 0.02). The sunitinib-treated rabbits also had median tenacity score of 3.0 (IQR 3.0-4.0) compared with a median of 4.0 (IQR 4.0-4.0; P = 0.04) in the placebo-treated rabbits (n = 10). The median total score in the sunitinib-treated rabbits was 5.0 (IQR 4.0-6.25) compared with 8.0 (IQR 6.75, 8.0) in the placebo-treated rabbits (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Sunitinib treatment might be an efficacious strategy to reduce recurrent adhesion formation after pelvic procedures.

Adhesion prevention and reduction: current status and future recommendations of a multinational interdisciplinary consensus conference

Adhesions can be found after virtually every abdominopelvic operation performed through standard laparotomy as well as by laparoscopic approaches. Adhesions can be completely asymptomatic or can cause significant morbidity and mortality including strangulation, obstruction, and necrosis of bowel loops and/or infertility and organ injury during repeat abdominal surgery. Perhaps because of the multifactorial nature of adhesion development, prevention has been very limited. Three anti-adhesion products are commercially available, none of which has been universally accepted as a panacea. Part of the obstacles with adhesion management is the lack of an objective clinically relevant classification to allow their study. Because a single band can cause a life-threatening bowel obstruction, whereas extensive dense intra-abdominal adhesions may be asymptomatic, neither the mere presence or absence of adhesions nor their extent if present is totally adequate endpoints. Adhesions are a major health care burden, and their reduction is a significant unmet need in surgical therapeutics facing all surgeons. Of all the parameters assessing adhesions currently available, the authors believe that adhesion incidence (presence or absence) is the most relevant endpoint with a direct clinical implication. The authors endorse the development of a validated, clinically relevant scale to assess intra-abdominal adhesions. Given the present limitation of objective assessment of adhesions and prediction of their clinical effect, the authors also advocate, when appropriate, the use of one of the Food and Drug Administration-approved adhesion barriers. Further research is required to develop safe and effective anti-adhesion methods as well as better assessment tools for their efficacy.

Postsurgical adhesion formation and prevention – recent developments with regard to the consecutive stages in adhesion formation

The formation of adhesions is a significant clinical problem. Complications like bowel obstruction and chronic pelvic pain are known to be related to adhesion formation. Besides these complications, adhesions do play an additional role in the gynaecological patient. Interference with the functioning of the fallopian tubes and ovaries disturbs ovum pickup and sperm transport and may compromise the fertility of patients.

Surgical adhesions: a timely update, a great challenge for the future

Damage to the peritoneum during abdominal surgery triggers a cascade of events aimed at repairing the damage. As part of this process, fibrin is deposited, which is the precursor to the formation of an adhesion between 2 damaged peritoneal surfaces. This can have a significant impact on morbidity and even mortality as well as large cost implications. Strategies to reduce adhesion formation include improving surgical techniques, optimizing laparoscopy conditions, using pharmacologic interventions targeted at the inflammatory response and/or fibrin deposition, and using agents that provide a physical barrier to adhesion formation. While these strategies have provided some success, none have yet proved totally successful in abolishing adhesions. Further research to ensure that adhesion prevention is optimal is therefore essential.

Human peritoneal adhesions show evidence of tissue remodeling and markers of angiogenesis

PURPOSE

This study was designed to investigate the vascular structure and angiogenic activity of human peritoneal adhesions.

METHODS

Adhesions were collected from patients undergoing laparotomy (n=32). Histologic features were documented and the distribution of mature and immature vascular markers were determined by immunolocalization and quantified by image analysis. The three-dimensional organization of blood vessels was investigated by confocal microscopy. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A, its receptor flk-1, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen were assessed by immunohistochemistry as indicators of angiogenic activity.

RESULTS

Adhesions were found to be vascularized structures comprising bundles of collagen, interspersed with varying amounts of adipose tissue. Functional blood vessels expressed recognized vascular markers (vWF, CD34, alpha-SMA, and CD105) and formed a branching network similar to that of the peritoneum. Those adhesions expressing vascular endothelial growth factor A and its receptor showed significantly higher numbers of immature vessels as defined by expression of CD105. Omental adhesions (n=16) contained significantly more adipose tissue (P<0.05) and displayed a higher microvessel density (P<0.01) but lower cellularity (P<0.05) compared with nonomental adhesions (n=16).

CONCLUSIONS

All adhesions contained functional blood vessels and most showed evidence of cell proliferation. The presence of vascular endothelial growth factor A and its receptor in human adhesions suggests ongoing angiogenic activity. This study demonstrates that adhesions are vascular structures with evidence of tissue remodeling and suggests potential for new prevention strategies involving antiangiogenic therapies.

Intra-abdominal adhesions after open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy: an experimental model

PURPOSE

To evaluate the incidence of intra-abdominal adherences after open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy, on the basis of an experimental study in pigs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 40 female pigs, mean weight 25 kg, underwent open cholecystectomy by right subcostal laparotomy (group A, n = 22) or laparoscopic cholecystectomy using a Storz laparoscope (group B, n = 18). After surgery, the abdominal wall was closed with polydioxanone suture and staples (group A) or with staples only (group B). One month later, the pigs underwent medial laparotomy to assess whether intra-abdominal adherences had developed. Incidences were compared between groups by the chi-square test with Yates correction.

RESULTS

Five pigs in group A and one pig in group B died within 24 hours of surgery, leaving 17 pigs in each group. Mean operative time was similar for both groups (24.7 minutes in group A, 25.3 minutes in group B). In group A, 16 pigs (94%) developed intra-abdominal adherences, in all cases multiple; in group B, only 9 pigs (53%) developed adherences, and in 8 of these pigs only a single adherence was present (P < 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that the incidence of intra-abdominal adherences is statistical lower after laparoscopic cholecystectomy than after open cholecystectomy.

Evidence-based diagnosis and management of tubal factor infertility

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The investigation for potential tubal disease is an essential step in the work-up of infertility. This review article provides an evidence-based overview of the diagnosis and management of tubal factor infertility.

RECENT FINDINGS

While laparoscopic chromopertubation remains the gold standard in the diagnosis of tubal disease and hysterosalpingography is still widely used, newer modalities offer some advantages. Sonohysterography with the use of contrast medium is superior to hysterosalpingography and comparable to laparoscopic chromotubation in diagnosing tubal blockage. Chlamydia serology is the most cost-effective and least invasive diagnostic test for tubal disease, and it is comparable to, if not better than, hysterosalpingography. Depending on the nature and degree of tubal dysfunction as well as the age and ovarian reserve of the patient, various treatments for tubal infertility are available. For proximal tubal obstruction, transcervical tubal cannulation with tubal flushing is a reasonable first approach. Surgical techniques for tubal repair, such as salpingostomy or fimbrioplasty for distal tubal obstruction, can provide good results. Still, tubal factor remains a major indication for in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, which bypasses the tubal problem altogether. In certain situations, such as the presence of hydrosalpinx, prophylactic surgery can be used in conjunction with in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

SUMMARY

As with infertility in general, the diagnosis and management of tubal infertility should be tailored to the individual patient. Future studies should help to further clarify the role of the various diagnostic tests and therapeutic approaches for tubal infertility.

Prevention of adhesions

A survey is given on the literature of the prevention of adhesions. Various methods of adhesion prevention are discussed: limitation of peritoneal injury, inhibition of the inflammatory response, prevention of coagulation of fibrinogen, removal of fibrin and mechanical separation of injured mesothelial surfaces.

Infertility and endometriosis: comparison of pregnancy outcomes with laparotomy versus laparoscopic techniques

OBJECTIVES

The null hypothesis of this retrospective literature analysis was that the superiority of laparoscopy over laparotomy to correct infertility resulting from tubal injury has not been proved because of the lack of well-designed comparative studies. The same was true for the correction of infertility caused by minimal and mild endometriosis.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective review of the English-language literature since 1975 was made to ascertain whether laparoscopic surgical correction of infertility caused by tubal injury and endometriosis resulted in an increased pregnancy rate compared with laparotomy techniques. Complication rates associated with laparoscopy versus laparotomy were also compared.

RESULTS

There were almost no adequate studies designed and executed to answer these questions based on criteria established by the United States Preventive Services Task Force. Furthermore, there was no evidence in the reported series that laparoscopic surgical procedures were superior to laparotomy in correcting infertility. The complication rates were similar. There was suggestive, but not yet proven, evidence that laparoscopic surgery with laser techniques may be superior to laparotomy in the management of infertility resulting from moderate and severe endometriosis.

CONCLUSION

Although results and complications were similar, the cost in savings with respect to decreased hospital expenses and loss of work time favor the use of laparoscopy over laparotomy when results are similar and not associated with increased risk. What has not been established are costs and work-time losses for minilaparotomy compared with laparoscopy.

An analysis of factors influencing the outcome of 232 consecutive tubal microsurgery cases

A consecutive series of 232 tubal microsurgical operations performed at the Jessop Hospital for Women, Sheffield, between 1983 and 1989, was analysed. The various contributory factors to tuboperitoneal damage were reviewed. Eighty patients (35%) conceived, resulting in 66 (29%) live births and 14 (6%) miscarriages. A further 12 (5%) had ectopic pregnancies. The overall cumulative conception rate (CCR) was 40% at the end of 50 months. Microsurgery has been most successful in the adhesiolysis group (n = 78) with a CCR of 46% at the end of 50 months. The terminal salpingostomy group (n = 97) had a CCR of 40% at the end of 36 months. There was a significant reduction in the live birth rate for the group with hydrosalpinx greater than 20 mm in diameter compared with the group with less than 20 mm (P = 0.05). The proximal anastomosis group (n = 27) had a CCR of 33%. No pregnancy was reported following reconstructive surgery for multiple occlusion sites. Overall, the extent of pelvic adhesions had a significant influence on the outcome (P = 0.02). The likelihood of conception was significantly influenced by the duration of infertility (P = 0.02) but not affected by the aetiology of tuboperitoneal damage, parity or age of the patient. In our hands, tubomicrosurgery is more cost-effective than in-vitro-fertilization as a primary treatment of infertility due to tubal diseases.

Adhesion formation after laparoscopic surgery in tubal pregnancy: a randomized trial versus laparotomy

OBJECTIVE

Women with ectopic pregnancy (EP) who have been operated on by laparoscopy are thought to have improved subsequent fertility, probably because of less adhesion formation. We aimed to evaluate the adhesion formation after laparoscopy as compared with laparotomy in a randomized trial.

DESIGN

One hundred five patients with tubal pregnancy were stratified with regard to age and risk factors and randomized to surgery by laparoscopy or laparotomy. To evaluate adhesion formation and tubal status, 73 patients with strong desire of pregnancy underwent a second-look laparoscopy. The adhesion status at the ipsilateral and contralateral side at primary surgery was compared with the status at second-look laparoscopy.

RESULTS

Patients operated on by laparotomy developed significantly more adhesions at the operated side than patients operated on by laparoscopy (P less than 0.001). Substantially more patients in the laparotomy group underwent adhesiolysis at second-look laparoscopy than did patients in the laparoscopy group. Tubal patency did not differ between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic treatment of EP results in less impairment of the pelvic status compared with conventional conservative surgery.

Prevention of postoperative adhesions by tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) in the rabbit

The fibrinolytic system of the peritoneum is important in the pathogenesis of adhesions. Plasminogen activator activity is depressed by serosal types of injury, which cause ischemia. Ischemic peritoneum induces fibrinous adhesions. When local fibrinolytic activity is impaired, persistence of fibrin and organisation of the fibrinous adhesions may occur. Peritoneal adhesion in rabbits were created by drying the serosa of the uterine horns and by introducing a small amount of blood intraperitoneally. In one group of rabbits tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) was given intraperitoneally at the end of the operation: another group served as controls. 48 rabbits were operated on. The animals were killed 3 h, 1, 3 and 7 days postoperatively for evaluation of adhesions. All animals of the control group had adhesions. The animals of the t-PA group had less adhesions than the animals of the control group.

Factors in the infertile couple influencing the success of artificial insemination with donor semen

Factors influencing the success of artificial insemination with donor semen (AID) were investigated in a series of 928 infertile couples. A simple approach with one insemination/cycle, timed only by cycle length and basal body temperature, was used. The overall life-table cumulative conception rate was 82% and the average fecundability was 10%. The following factors were associated with a higher success rate: women less than 36 years, azoospermic compared with oligozoospermic husband and women with no history of abdominal surgery. The success rate decreased with increasing duration of infertility and in women with an abnormal hysterosalpingography or laparoscopy, and was unrelated to menarcheal age, the distance between the couples place of residence and the clinic, or if the woman had been pregnant before starting AID treatment.

Primary microsurgery for postinflammatory tubal infertility

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a common cause of tubal infertility. The pregnancy outcomes in 161 patients who underwent primary microsurgical tuboplasty for postinflammatory tubal disease at the Mayo Clinic from 1977 through 1981 were evaluated. The outcome (3-year rate) was evaluated for each category of microsurgical procedures. The proximal anastomosis group had a conception rate of 71% (50% live births, 30% spontaneous abortions, 6% ectopic pregnancies). The terminal salpingoneostomy group, which accounted for the largest number of procedures, had a conception rate of 47% (32% live births, 12% spontaneous abortions, 11% ectopic pregnancies). Even after microsurgical tubal reconstruction, most women do not achieve a live birth. Pregnancy outcome is probably related to several factors reflecting the severity of pre-existing intrinsic damage. Prognostic factors that may better predict pregnancy outcome are discussed.

Ectopic pregnancy: its relationship to tubal reconstructive surgery

Ectopic pregnancy is the shady companion of tubal surgery. Among patients with ectopic pregnancy, relatively few have a history of tubal surgery as their underlying etiologic factor when compared with other etiologies such as PID. Nevertheless, a history of tubal surgery should place the patient at a higher-risk group for ectopic pregnancy; 3% to 20% of these patients will encounter an ectopic pregnancy after the corrective surgery. The incidence of ectopic pregnancy after tubal surgery is extremely variable and is closely linked to the degree of restoration of normal functional and anatomic integrity after the surgical procedure. This depends, to a large extent, on the amount of previous damage to the tube and its potential reversibility. Major improvements in surgical technique can, therefore, have reduced, but not eliminated, the occurrence of tubal pregnancy. The incidence of ectopic pregnancy associated with any given tubal surgical procedure should be taken into consideration when surgery is contemplated. When the risk of ectopic pregnancy is unacceptably high, or when the patient is reluctant to be exposed to a high risk of ectopic pregnancy, IVF-ET could be offered as an alternative. Table 11 represents the incidence of ectopic pregnancy associated with the various surgical procedures. The figures demonstrate the wide variation in outcome for the same procedure.

Results of microsurgical treatment of tubal infertility and early second-look laparoscopy in the post-pelvic inflammatory disease patient: implications for in vitro fertilization

Sixty-nine patients with tubal infertility secondary to pelvic inflammatory disease were surgically treated by one of three infertility surgeons, who used microsurgery for repair of the tubal pathologic condition and early second-look laparoscopy 6 to 30 days postoperatively for lysis of postoperative adhesions. No patient was included in this group whose disease was thought to have originated from endometriosis or prior abdominal surgery. The average follow-up time was 43.1 months (range 12 to 85.9). Nine patients were excluded from the analysis. Pregnancy outcome by procedure, expressed as the percentage of patients conceiving, was as follows: adhesiolysis, 69% (61% term, 8% ectopic); fimbrioplasty, 35% (25% term, 10% ectopic); salpingostomy, 30% (18% term, 12% ectopic); and cornual implantation, 60% (40% term, 20% ectopic). No added therapeutic value could be attributed to the use of early second-look laparoscopy. Given the relatively poor outcome of fimbrioplasty and salpingostomy, it may be prudent to advise patients with bilateral partial and/or total tubal occlusion against tuboplasty in favor of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

Adhesion formation after tubal surgery: results of the eighth-day laparoscopy in 188 patients

First-look laparoscopy (FL) on the eighth day after salpingostomy, fimbrioplasty, or adhesiolysis was performed in 188 patients. Behavior of postoperative adhesions and the occurrence of pregnancy after tubal surgery were compared with a similar group of 127 patients in whom no FL was performed. In greater than 50% of the cases (104/188), adhesions were found on the eighth postoperative day around both adnexa or the only remaining adnexum. Adhesions were mainly located between the ampulla and the ovary and between the ovary and the lateral pelvic wall or broad ligament. More than half of the adhesions that were separated at FL did not recur. It was concluded that FL significantly diminished the occurrence of permanent pelvic adhesions. The incidence of ectopic pregnancy after salpingostomy was significantly lower when FL was performed. FL on the eighth postoperative day can be regarded as a well-accepted procedure with few complications.

High-molecular weight dextran in human infertility surgery

The use of intraperitoneal 32% high-molecular weight dextran 70 (Hyskon, Pharmacia Inc.) has been reported to reduce the incidence of surgical adhesions in several species. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of 32% dextran 70 in human females who underwent major abdominal infertility operations. Adhesions were quantitated by means of standardized objective criteria in 44 women in a prospective, randomized, double-blind study, and reevaluated at second-look laparoscopy approximately 6 weeks later. The mean change in the adhesion score for all patients in the 32% dextran 70 group (n = 23) was -2.57 units (i.e., clinically "improved") versus +2.41 units (i.e., clinically "worsened") in the control group (n = 21), p = 0.016. For the subgroup of patients who underwent lysis of adhesions, the 32% dextran 70 group (n = 17) improved significantly, whereas the control group (n = 12) tended not to improve with careful technique alone (-4.2 units versus +0.3 unit, p less than 0.05). These data indicate that 32% dextran 70 not only significantly reduces the formation of adhesions overall in human infertility operations, but also is highly effective in reducing the reformation of adhesions after lysis.

New concepts in the surgical management of tubal pregnancy and the consequent postoperative results

The success following reconstructive tubal pregnancy can only be measured in terms of live births. Because the fallopian tube is not a simple conduit and has numerous complex functions, many women fail to conceive despite successful reconstructive surgery. The most effective way to prevent reocclusion or peritubal adhesion is to minimize tissue trauma. Magnification permits accurate excision and hemostasis. In this review, it has been demonstrated that tubal conservation is technically possible and safe. It is effective in increasing the number of live births postoperatively in women interested in fertility and does not increase the risk of the repaired tube for a repeat tubal gestation more than the uninvolved tube, although one of five subsequent pregnancies are again ectopic. They seem to occur equally as often in the contralateral tube as in the repaired tube. It has been shown that salpingotomy can restore tubal patency and maintain fertility. The second question was whether the number of viable pregnancies increase after conservative surgery. This question can be answered only if the repaired tube remains and the patient subsequently delivers at term. Such data have already demonstrated this outcome. Conservative operations in selected cases of tubal pregnancy seem feasible and safe and do not further impair tubal function. Because intrauterine pregnancy is more apt to occur than is repeat ectopic pregnancy, it seems logical that the involved tube should be saved whenever fertility is desired (Fig. 2). In unruptured isthmic pregnancy, Stangel and Gomel prefer segmental excision and end-to-end anastomosis during the same intervention. Gomel advocates segmental excision of the conceptus whether ruptured or not when the pregnancy is located in the isthmus or proximal half of the ampulla, and end-to-end anastomosis undertaken later as an elective procedure if necessary (Fig. 2). An ampullary gestation may be successfully treated by salpingotomy; and in the case of distal ampullary location, a tubal abortion may be performed (Fig. 2). When extensive destruction of the tube occurs, salpingectomy becomes necessary. In cases of early diagnosis of tubal gestation, conservative surgical management may be carried out via laparoscopy (Fig. 1).

Experience with 143 cases of tubal surgery

Results of tubal reconstructive surgery must be periodically reviewed. This approach permits evaluation of improvements in individual techniques as well as comparison with the results of others performing similar surgery. It also enables meaningful dialogue between physician and patient regarding prospects for success in the physician's own hands. The senior author's experience with 143 cases of tubal reconstructive surgery is presented. Results of four distinct tubal reconstructive procedures are compared with results reported in the available microsurgical and macrosurgical literature. The term pregnancy rate was 45.7% for those who underwent lysis of adhesions, 50.0% among the tubal anastomosis group, and 20.8% among patients treated with a two-stage salpingostomy.

Biochemical evaluation of postsurgical wound repair: prevention of intraperitoneal adhesion formation with ibuprofen

Proteins central to normal wound repair, including collagen and proteoglycans, were extracted during postoperative mesothelial regeneration, then the quantitation was correlated to macroscopic observations of normal peritoneal reepithelialization and/or postoperative adhesion formation. Sixty-three New Zealand white female rabbits of reproductive age were prospectively assigned to either Group A, untreated control; Group B, which received intramuscular injections of ibuprofen, 70 mg/kg per injection (immediately and 6 hr after surgery); or Group C, which received 5 intramuscular injections of ibuprofen (4 hr before surgery, and immediately, 6, 12, and 18 hr after surgery). The right uterine horn underwent one of three standardized surgical traumas: (1) abrasion of the peritoneal surface with a scalpel until punctate bleeding developed, (2) ischemia of the uterine horn by removal of the collateral blood supply (devascularization), (3) crushing of the uterine horn by cross clamping for 3 min with a Kelley hemostat. Thereafter, 10 microCi of C-14-labeled glucosamine and 10 microCi of C-14-labeled proline were injected into the marginal ear vein of each rabbit. All rabbits underwent a laparotomy on the fifth postoperative day for evaluation of adhesion formation and tissue biopsy for protein extraction. No reduction in adhesion formation was found using a 2-dose postoperative treatment regimen. However, using a 70 mg/kg X 5-doses regimen in the immediate perioperative interval, a significant reduction in both adhesion formation and severe adhesion formation (both P less than 0.025) were found following standardized surgical injury. The extent of adhesion formation was correlated with the extractable glycosaminoglycan and collagen concentrations. As determined by recovered glucosamine and proline, a positive correlation was apparent between the severity of adhesion grade and formation of new glycosaminoglycans or collagens. Thus, ibuprofen appears to inhibit adhesion formation through suppression of fibroproliferative inflammation.

Spontaneous abortion incidence in the treatment of infertility

Analysis of published series indicates that, irrespective of the method of data collection, close agreement exists on empirically derived incidences of spontaneous abortion in North American populations, provided that age, previous abortion history, and gravidity are controlled. The normal incidence of clinically apparent abortion among first pregnancies in women under age 30 years is in the range 8.3% to 11.0%. A comprehensive analysis of published series on pregnancies after infertility treatment indicates that only three therapeutic methods are attended by an abortion incidence that approaches this asymptote: ovulation induction with bromocriptine in hyperprolactinemic anovulation (11.8%; n = 1,233 pregnancies); artificial insemination with donor semen for azoospermia (11.4%; n = 326 first pregnancies); and operation for endometriosis (9.3%; n = 768 pregnancies). Abortion incidences accompanying other modes of therapy are higher. Because increased abortion incidence is not generally recognized as a specific reproductive difficulty in infertile couples, as are the other two: i.e., refractory infertility despite technically adequate therapy and ectopic pregnancy, plausible physiologic mechanisms for abortions in specific categories of disease or treatment type are described and discussed in detail. Moreover, abortion incidence is proposed to be a sensitive and objective parameter with which to assess distortions in human reproductive physiology, especially when competing methods of infertility treatment have overall pregnancy outcomes that are thought to be similar.

Infertility surgery of the oviduct: comparison between macrosurgery and microsurgery

The purpose of this study is to compare the results of macrosurgical and microsurgical tuboplasty procedures performed on infertility patients after other causes of their infertility were ruled out. During a 6-year period from July 1971 through June 1977, 128 macrosurgical tuboplasties were performed, and from July 1977 through July 1979, 73 cases of microsurgical procedures were performed. The senior author was the actual or first assistant surgeon in every case. For comparison, the procedures performed were divided into seven categories: salpingolysis, fimbrioplasty, salpingoneostomy, midsegment anastomosis, tubouterine anastomosis, tubouterine implantation, and combined procedures. The results of both groups were analyzed and compared. Use of the microscope improved results in all categories, particularly in anastomosis procedures. It is concluded that the microscopic techniques have a definite advantage and are recommended for use in all tuboplasty procedures.

Comparison of avitene, topical thrombin, and gelfoam as sole hemostatic agent in tuboplasties

Forty-eight virgin guinea pigs were subjected to bilateral sectioning of the uterine horn and cuff type salpingostomy. Avitene, Topical Thrombin, or Gelfoam was used as the sole hemostatic agent in each of three study groups. Bipolar cauterization was used in a control series. These agents were compared with regard to ease of application, degree of adhesion formation, net surface area, and microscopic evaluation of degree of fibrosis and inflammatory reaction. The results revealed no statistically significant differences among the various methods of hemostasis. Data were evaluated by uni- and multivariate analyses. Several trends in the data were noted: the greatest amount of fibrosis was associated with Topical Thrombin and Avitene, and the greatest inflammatory response was associated with Avitene. These agents show no superiority to currently used cautery methods of obtaining hemostasis.