Anastomosis of the freshly divided uterine horns of rats with the CO2 laser vs. microsurgery

We used the CO 2 laser (group 1) and conventional microsurgery (group 2) for anastomosis of the freshly divided uterine horns of rats and compared the two methods. Each group was then compared with a control group in whom only exploration was carried out at laparotomy. Comparison was done regarding the clinical and histologic results. In addition, serum levels and tissue concentrations of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured, and the three groups were compared. No significant difference was found between the mean adhesion scores of groups 1 and 2; however, when the control group was compared with the other groups, the differences were statistically significant. The tubal patency rates in groups 1 and 2 and the control group were 83.3%, 79.2% and 100%, respectively, and the pregnancy rates in those groups were 54.5% (6/11), 45.5% (5/11) and 100% (10/10). The differences in tubal patency and pregnancy rates between groups 1 and 2 were not significant, but when each was compared with the control group, the differences were significant. The mean scores for mucosal regeneration and disruption of the muscularis layer in group 1 were significantly lower than those in group 2. Serum levels and tissue concentrations of ALP and LDH in the control group were lower than in groups 1 and 2, and the differences between the control group and each of the other groups were significant; however, no significant difference was found between groups 1 and 2. Laser anastomosis does not seem to offer advantages over conventional microsurgery except for reduced operating time, but it is too early to abandon the technique, considering that few studies have been performed of animal models. Hence, conventional microsuturing is still the best method of anastomosis