[Devitalization and haemostasis by thermal destruction--results of enzyme-histochemical and histological examination of oviduct specimens, following tissue coagulation by means of endocoagulation or high-frequency current (author's transl)].

Semm's technique of endocoagulation has been used by the authors for haemostasis in endoscopic abdominal surgery at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Kiel since 1973. --Enzyme-histochemical and histological tests, all based on endocoagulation or high-frequency current procedures, were applied to 100 human fallopian tubes. Fifteen of them remained uncoagulated and were used for comparison. --Membrane ATPase, 5-nucleotidase, cytochrome-C-oxydase, and other essential enzymes in cellular metabolism were inactivated by temperatures in excess of 57 degrees C. These enzymes, consequently, were no longer detectable from enzyme-histochemical preparations, whereas active tissue regions, those which still contained vital cells, were stained black to brown. --Negative enzyme reactions occurred in response to a coagulation forceps temperature of 120 degrees C, when applied not less than 20 seconds. Residual enzyme activities were still recordable from certain tubal areas, when forceps temperatures below 120 degrees C had been used. In such cases coagulation was insufficient, particularly in the inner layers of tubes (epithelium, mucosa). Temperatures above 130 degrees C and coagulation lengths of more than 20 seconds proved to be unnecessary, since no improvement in results was thus achievable. Temperatures of 140 degrees C and more have changed coagulated tissue into "adhesive" and make it stick to the coagulation forceps. Instrument withdrawal can in such cases cause bleeding rather than the desired haemostatic effect.