Histopathological study of the catheterized fallopian tube-evidence of epithelial damage

ABSTRACT

The objective of this work was to investigate whether transcervical Fallopian tube catheterization with currently used catheters have a traumatic effect on tubal mucosa. A total of five hysterectomy specimens removed for nontubal pathology were included. In each case one tube was cannulated and the other was taken as a control. Serial sections were cut from intramural and isthmic portions and studied histologically for the presence of mucosal damage. The results showed that in all five cases there was a partial or complete detachment of tubal epithelium as compared with the control side. The injury was less marked in the isthmic portions. It was concluded that Fallopian tube cannulation with the currently used catheters have a traumatic effect on the tubal epithelium in the intramural and isthmic portions