MICROSURGICAL REANASTOMOSIS OF THE RABBIT OVIDUCT AND ITS FUNCTIONAL AND PATHOLOGICAL SEQUELAE

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Abstract
A microsurgical technique for anastomosis of the oviduct is described using the rabbit as an animal model. A control group of five previously sterilized rabbits had both oviducts rejoined and all became pregnant. Another three groups of animals had a reanastomosis immediately after division of both oviducts. One oviduct was later removed for histological study and the animals were subsequently mated. Twenty‐three out of 25 (92 per cent) conceived and delivered a normal litter after repair of the oviduct with very fine nylon sutures without postoperative splinting; only seven out of 15 (46.7 per cent) delivered after catgut sutures had been used without splinting and only 9 out of 20 (45 per cent) delivered when nylon sutures were used and the oviduct splinted for seven days. Both the use of catgut sutures and prolonged splinting were associated with increased fibrosis, adhesion formation and poor healing of the anastomosis.