Fimbrial ciliated cells percentage and epithelial height during and after salpingitis

Microbiopsies of 191 fimbriae were obtained from 146 patients undergoing laparotomy for acute salpingitis, or tubal surgery after salpingitis. The biopsies were classified in four groups according to the diagnosis at laparotomy: salpingitis, distal occlusion, peritubal adhesions or tuberculosis. The biopsies belonging to the group of distal occlusion were further classified in four sub-groups according to the extent of the lesions observed during the hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy. Since the crucial role of the ciliated epithelium in the ovum transport has been established, the percentage of ciliated cells and the epithelial height were determined in the groups and compared to those observed in fimbriae obtained from fertile women during an ovulatory cycle. Significant differences were noted in all groups when compared to fertile women. Acute salpingitis provoked a rapid and severe deciliation which recovered 3 months after triantibiotherapy. In the groups of distal occlusion, there was a significant correlation between the rate of deciliation and the extent of lesions. This suggests that deciliation of tubal epithelium is a sequela of salpingitis and that the extent of disease allows a prognosis of the percentage of ciliated cells.