TRANSVAGINAL INTERSTITIAL LASER TREATMENT OF THE OVARY - A FEASIBILITY STUDY IN COWS

In 12 cows, transvaginal interstitial laser treatment (TILT) of the ov aries was performed using a neodynium:yttrium aluminium-garnet laser t o investigate the feasibility of a new treatment approach for clomiphe ne-resistant patients with chronic hyperandrogenic anovulation. Powers of 1 and 2 W during 5 min of exposure were used, Sonographic changes of thermal damage during TILT, the extent and healing of the lesions b y light microscopy and ultrasound during a 3 month follow-up and adhes ion formation were studied, During laser irradiation, a hyperechogenic zone developed around the fibre tip, with a mean +/- SD diameter of 4 .4 +/- 2.0 mm at 1 W and 6.9 +/- 1.5 mm at 2 W. The mean diameters of the histological lesions 2 days after treatment were 7.3 +/- 2.5 mm at 1 W and 13.0 +/- 2.1 mm at 2 W. During follow-up, the mean diameter o f both the histologically and the sonographically assessed lesions dec reased, although transvaginal sonography (TVS) systematically and sign ificantly underestimated the thermal damage, Lesions healed by fibrosi s and no adhesions were present. TILT of the ovaries in cows is easy t o perform and produces central or subcapsular necrosis without adhesio ns. TVS gives an indication of thermal damage but underestimates the e xtent of tissue damage in cow ovaries. Obviously, this study does mt a llow conclusions to be drawn concerning its safety and efficacy in man .