Color doppler flow analysis of uterine and ovarian arteries before and after tubal sterilization: electrocautery versus pomeroy.

Background/aim: To compare the changes in uterine and ovarian artery blood flow following laparoscopic sterilization via bipolar cautery with Pomeroy tubal ligation via mini-laparotomy in patients who had voluntary surgical sterilization.

Methods: Ninety consecutive fertile women applying for voluntary tubal ligation were recruited in this prospective study. Patients were allocated for either laparoscopic tubal ligation via bipolar electrocoagulation (group 1) or Pomeroy tubal ligation via mini-laparotomy (group 2) according to their preference. Color Doppler flow analysis of uterine and ovarian arteries were carried out on the 3rd day of the cycle prior to the procedure (D(0)), on the 3rd postoperative day (D(1)) and on the 3rd day of the cycle, 3 months (D(3)) following the surgery. The significance of difference between the three measurements was analyzed by using analysis of variance.

Results: Prior to surgery, the mean pulsatility index of the uterine artery, left and right ovarian arteries were 1.9 +/- 0.3, 1.8 +/- 0.3, 1.8 +/- 0.2 in group 1 and 1.8 +/- 0.08, 1.8 +/- 0.08, 1.8 +/- 0.07 in group 2, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between group 1 and group 2 in terms of D(0) values (p > 0.05). 3rd postoperative day and 3rd month measurements of both uterine and ovarian arteries in group 1 and group 2 did not show any statistically significant difference from that of preoperative values (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: No alternation in the flow of either ovarian or uterine arteries following tubal sterilization performed by bipolar electrocautery and Pomeroy's technique was determined both in the immediate postoperative period and 3 months after the surgery.