Endoscopic transvaginal approach to the rabbit uterine cervix: improvement in the technique of selective tubal catheterization.

RATIONALE AND

OBJECTIVES

The authors compared two methods of selective fallopian tube catheterization in female rabbits.

METHODS

Technical success rates and procedure times in two groups of animals were compared. Group 1 consisted of 20 female rabbits catheterized with a fluoroscopic technique. Group 2 consisted of 55 rabbits catheterized with a combination of endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance.

RESULTS

The technique used in group 2 allowed a statistically significant reduction in the time required for cervical catheterization and the total procedural time (P < .01). There was a parallel statistically significant reduction in fluoroscopy time (P < .01). Technical success rates and adverse effects were similar for the two techniques.

CONCLUSION

The combined endoscopic-fluoroscopic technique requires a shorter time than the established fluoroscopic technique and should be considered for future selective tubal catheterization experiments in rabbits.