A new concept for anastomosis of the fallopian tube: tissue reconstruction with nonpenetrating, arcuate, legged clips in the rat model.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the titanium Kirsch-Zhu microclip microsurgical reanastomoses of the fallopian tubes.

DESIGN

Compare the reanastomoses of the rat uterine horn between Kirsch-Zhu clips (Cushman Engineering, Albuquerque, NM) (group A) and conventional suture microsurgical techniques (group B).

SETTING

Microsurgery Research Laboratory, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, California.

PATIENTS,

PARTICIPANTS

Fifteen SD rats Harlan (Harlan Sprague-Dawley Corp., Indianapolis, IN) were done in groups A and B and six in control group (C).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Pregnancy rate, litter size, tissue of procedure, and histologic results.

RESULTS

The clip technique was shorter in procedure time and resulted in equal fertility rate and litter size. Histologically, there were less granulomatous formation and histiocytic inflammation, but muscularis thinning and fibrosis were noted with the clip.

CONCLUSIONS

The Kirsch-Zhu clip has potential for application to human fallopian tube reanastomoses.