Microsurgical reanastomosis of rabbit oviduct and its functional and pathological sequelae.

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 and prolonged splinting were associated with increased fibrosis, adhesion formation and poor healing of the anastomosis.