TUBAL-STERILIZATION BY MEANS OF SELECTIVE CATHETERIZATION - COMPARISON OF A HYDROGEL AND A COLLAGEN GLUE

PURPOSE: To test, in an animal model, two potentially suitable materia ls for nonsurgical selective tubal sterilization. MATERIALS AND METHOD S: A hydrogel that forms an in situ plug by phase inversion of a polym er solution was placed in four rabbit fallopian tubes, and a proprieta ry collagen glue was placed into three rabbit fallopian tubes by means of transvaginal fluoroscopic fallopian tube catheterization. As contr ols, 11 tubes were catheterized without sterilization material injecti on. The rabbits were bred, and the presence of embryos was confirmed w ith palpation and at autopsy. Histologic analysis was performed. RESUL TS: The short-term contraception rate was 100% in the hydrogel group, 33% in the collagen glue group, and 0% in the control group (P < .001 hydrogel group, P not significant in collagen group). Inflammation was minimal in the three groups (P not significant). CONCLUSION: The coll agen glue had an insufficient contraceptive effect and should be aband oned. The hydrogel used proved effective and biocompatible, and long-t erm studies of this compound are warranted.