A new culdocentesis system.

Abstract

A new culdocentesis system is presented, based on vacuum fixation of the posterior vaginal wall together with Douglas peritoneum in a small vacuum cup, enabling a controllable central perpendicular puncture with a special catheter-needle unit. The advantages of the new system are the creation of a relatively safe and painless access to the pouch of Douglas, less risk of contamination, the possibility of repetitive examinations, and satisfactory effectiveness in collecting peritoneal fluid. The results of 164 culdocenteses in ambulant infertility patients are reported. Application of the technique is proposed for the investigation of sperm migration in vivo, steroid analysis of peritoneal fluid, and intraperitoneal insemination.