Occlusion of human fallopian tubes using a carbon dioxide laser-in vitro investigations

The fallopian tube ostium can be occluded by laser coagulation. The penetration depth of an Nd:YAG laser of wavelength 1.06 μm is about three times more than that of a CO₂ laser of wavelength 10.6 μm in the fallopian tube tissue but for deep coagulation, diffusion of the heat through the tissue plays a more Important role. Using a cw-CO₂ Iaser, a coagulation depth of more than 1 mm is achieved in the interstitial fallopian tube near the uterine-oviduct junction at the laser power of 1 W and interaction time of 20 sec. Thermal analysis of the fallopian tube tissue revealed that the maximum temperature attained during coagulation was 105°C. The coagulated tissue was free from microholes. This in vitro experimental investigation indicates that it may be possible to perform female sterilization quickly and atraumatically using lasers via a hysteroscope.