Another approach is to cannulate the fistula with a blunted needle, in exactly the same place.

On one hand, it can be considered a violation of the potential donor's autonomy to cannulate before their in-life wishes are known.

"Once you cannulate the fallopian tube," Marissa said, "what do you use to sterilize?"

"We cannulate the fallopian tubes," Tse said matter-of-factly.

She knew that to cannulate the fallopian tubes, the cervix had to be dilated, and dilating the cervix was excruciatingly painful.

The compromise reached is usually to cannulate if there is any evidence of a wish to donate (such as a donor card or registration as a donor) even in the absence of next-of-kin.