Fallopian Tube Occlusion by Selective Transcatheter Radiofrequency Electrocautery

PURPOSE: To access the usefulness of transcatheter radiofrequency(RF) electrocautery as a method ofnonsurgical tubal occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the coaxial technique under fluoroscopic guidance,transvaginal fluoroscopic fallopian tube catheterization was performed in thirteen rabbits. In each rabbit,unilateral tubal ablation was performed using RF electrocautery. A 0.018 inch metallic wire protruding from themicrocatheter tip was used as the source of the RF energy ; the length of the noninsulated part of this wire was10mm and the duration of RF supply was 20 seconds. The contralateral normal fallopian tube and uterus were used asa control. All 13 rabbits were randomly sacrified on two days(group I) or 30 days(group II) after the procedure,and tubal patency and histologic change were evaluated. RESULT: In group I(n=5), significant RF ablation-inducedtissue necrosis of the endosalpinx was found in all five rabbits. In group II(n=8), the fallopian tube wascompletely occluded with tubal wall fibrosis, in all eight rabbits, but there was no tissue damage in adjacentperitoneal organs. For contralateral control tubes, the histologic findings were normal. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter RF electrocautery is thought to be a useful method for tubal occlusion. It is simple, safe, and lessexpensive and might have a role in future female tubal steralization.