ANASTOMOSIS OF THE FRESHLY DIVIDED UTERINE HORNS OF RATS WITH THE CO2-LASER VS MICROSURGERY

We used the CO2 laser (group 1) and conventional microsurgery (group 2 ) for anastomosis of the freshly divided uterine horns of rats and com pared the two methods. Each group was then compared with a control gro up in whom only exploration was carried out at laparotomy. Comparison was done regarding the clinical and histologic results. In addition, s erum levels and tissue concentrations of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) an d lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured, and the three groups were compared. No significant difference was found between the mean adhesio n scores of groups 1 and 2; however, when the control group was compar ed with the other groups, the differences were statistically significa nt. The tubal patency rates in groups 1 and 2 and the control group we re 83.3%, 79.2% and 100%, respectively, and the pregnancy rates in tho se groups were 54.5% (6/11), 45.5% (5/11) and 100% (10/10). The differ ences in tubal patency and pregnancy rates between groups 1 and 2 were not significant, but when each was compared with the control group, t he differences were significant. The mean scores for mucosal regenerat ion and disruption of the muscularis layer in group 1 were significant ly lower than those in group 2. Serum levels and tissue concentrations of ALP and LDH in the control group were lower than in groups 1 and 2 , and the differences between the control group and each of the other groups were significant; however, no significant difference was found between groups 1 and 2. Laser anastomosis does not seem to offer advan tages over conventional microsurgery except for reduced operating time , but it is too early to abandon the technique, considering that few s tudies have been performed on animal models. Hence, conventional micro suturing is still the best method of anastomosis.