ABSTRACT
PIP: 10 women for whom total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was planned had unilateral Falope ring sterilization 1 month previously by laparoscopy to provide specimens for study of the vasculature of the ovary and fallopian tubes. The indication for hysterectomy was unremitting uterine bleeding uncontrolled by curettage. The subjects ranged in age from 30 to 46 (mean 40.3 years) and in parity from 4 to 11 (mean 6.1). The specimens were injected with 50% lead oxide in 10% formol in the uterine and ovarian arteries, and with barium in the uterine and ovarian veins. X-ray films were taken the same day. all specimens showed venous dilation. In all cases the ovarian branch of the uterine artery and its anastomoses with the ovarian artery were intact. The degree of compromise of the arterial circulation depended on the position of the Falope ring, less damage when the ring was on the medial or middle tube, and more damage when it was more distal. Circulation to the ligated tube distal to the ring was diminished. The implications of these results on the possibility of menstrual irregularities after tubal sterilization and on potential for reanastomosis were discussed.^ieng
