Fertility and histology after rabbit ovarian wedge resection with CO2 laser or electrocautery using posterior reconstruction with nylon or polyglactin sutures.

Abstract

In an experimental study in rabbits, the CO2 laser and electrocautery were compared in performing microsurgical ovarian wedge resection; polyglactin and nylon sutures were compared for ovarian reconstruction. Histologic reaction, adhesion formation, and functional parameters (number of corpora lutea, number of pregnancies, nidation index) were evaluated 30 and 90 days postoperatively. Thirty days after surgery, the tissue inflammatory response was very similar in the four groups; fibrosis was not detected. Significant reductions (P less than 0.01) were found for the experimental (operated right ovary) vs. the control (unoperated left ovary) groups when comparing the number of corpora lutea and the number of pregnancies. No significant differences in the nidation index were demonstrated. Adhesion formation was not different between any of the experimental procedures; adhesions were not detected in the control ovaries. At 90 days, the polyglactin suture was entirely absorbed and no inflammatory reaction persisted. Minimal giant cell infiltration was found around the nylon suture. The histologic differences between the two sutures were statistically significant (P less than 0.02). No fibrosis was observed. The functional parameters did not reveal statistically significant differences between the two sutures.