Bilateral hydrosalpinx in patients with Hirschsprung's disease.

PURPOSE: Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is uncommon in females. There are very few reports on the patients' obstetric and gynecological outcome. Hydrosalpinx causes pain and infertility. It is rare in nonsexually active teenagers. It may be because of an intrinsic disease of the fallopian tubes or secondary to surgery.

AIM: to describe the relationship between hydrosalpinx and HD or its surgical approach; to report the impact of bilateral hydrosalpinx on fertility in HD.

METHODS

The records of all females with HD since 1980 were reviewed. Only patients who reached menarche were included. Prevalence of hydrosalpinx and hydrosalpinx-free survival were compared after abdominoperineal (A) or transanal (T) surgery. Treatment for hydrosalpinx was reviewed.

RESULTS

Seventeen out of 27 patients had reached menarche (Group A: 13 patients; Group T: 4 patients). Five patients in group A and none in group T presented bilateral hydrosalpinx (p=0.261). There were no statistical differences in hydrosalpinx-free survival between groups (p=0.344). Hydrosalpinx treatment: two bilateral and one unilateral salpingectomy, one pyosalpinx evacuation and one untreated. Three patients had conception desire: one has children; two are on IVF program.

CONCLUSION

An association between hydrosalpinx and HD was observed. The development of hydrosalpinx was not associated with surgical approach in our study. Females with HD should have a gynecological follow-up for the development of hydrosalpinx, which can impair fertility.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.