Fallopian tube disease: limited value of treatment with fallopian tube catheterization.

PURPOSE: Therapeutic role of fallopian tube catheterization was prospectively studied in patients with bilateral fallopian tube obstruction.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Catheterization was performed in 42 patients with bilateral obstruction; 36 of the patients (67 fallopian tubes) underwent recanalization.

RESULTS

Fifty-two tubes with 54 proximal obstructions were successfully recanalized (technical success rate, 96%), 36 with selective catheterization and 16 with coaxial techniques. Among 13 tubes blocked at the distal portion of the tube, six tubes were negotiated. Perforation or subintimal injury occurred in three tubes, and one patient eventually had a tubal pregnancy. During follow-up of 3 months to 4 years, five patients had conceived, including the patient with a tubal pregnancy and one patient who experienced spontaneous abortion during the first trimester.

CONCLUSION

Fallopian tube catheterization is technically highly successful and diagnostically useful. However, its role in treating fallopian tube diseases is limited, and patients with distally blocked tubes are not good candidates for this procedure.