Homotransplantation of the human fallopian tube: report of a successful case and description of a technique.

The rising emphasis on conservative surgical treatment of the fallopian tube has generated a greater demand for methods of reparative surgery. Thus far, the use of surrogate tubes and allotransplantation of the fallopian tube hae not fulfilled the requirements for success. A case of homotransplantation of the human fallopian tube is presented. At surgery, a midsegment anastomosis was performed by grafting the good portion of the left tube to a viable segment of the right tube. The arteries and veins were then anastomosed with 9-0 silk and a single-layer closure; an operating microscope was used. Patency was documented with chromotubation, and bleeding was controlled with microcautery. Decadron and Phenergan were placed in the patient's abdomen along with 150 ml of saline. She was given systemic Decadron, Phenergan, and antibiotics pre- and postoperatively. Three months after surgery hysterography revealed a viable-appearing fallopian tube. The patient subsequently aborted an 8-week intrauterine gestation. Fallopian tube homotransplantation has a role in the treatment of infertility, but the patient population for which this procedure is applicable is limited.