Spiral Teflon Stent for Tuboplasty Involving Fimbria

A spiral Teflon stent has been developed to prevent adhesion formation after fimbrioplasty. The straight portion of the stent is introduced into the repaired tube for a distance of about 5 cm. The distal portion of the stent, which is formed into a spiral that is maintained with thin-gauge copper wire, is sutured loosely to the fimbria to keep them apart. The end of the stent is brought out of the abdominal cavity through a flank puncture. The prosthesis is readily removed 8–10 weeks, postoperatively, in the office. The stent has been used in 25 patients during the last 18 months. To date, 4 have conceived. Postoperatively, tubal patency, confirmed by hydrotubation and CO, insufflution, has been maintained in all patients.