Contractility of the human fallopian tube in vivo: reproducibility and iatrogenicity of a method

Abstract

An evaluation of technique for in vivo serial recording of human tubal motility was done in terms of method failures, iatrogenic damage, and reproducibility of results. Thirty women were studied. Ten women dropped out of the study because of method failure. The clinical followup of the entire group was satisfactory up to the last patient evaluation 6 mth after tubal catheters were removed. A temporary effect on the ovarian cycle of three women was found. One woman became pregnant 4 mth after tubal ligation. In this case the catheters were in place for 38 days. In spite of this technique failure, this occurrence suggests an adequate tubal condition. Serial recording sessions of approximately 3 hr once or twice weekly were conducted in each case for 20 to 50 days. The general pattern of tubal motility records in the authors' studies was consistent with that reported by other authors using the same technique.