A new evaluation score that uses salpingoscopy to reflect fallopian tube function in infertile women.

OBJECTIVE

To build an evaluation scoring system using the results of salpingoscopy, and to evaluate the relationship between this scoring system and the outcome of pregnancy.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Sugiyama Clinic.

INTERVENTION(S): Using salpingoscopy, we observed the tubal lumen, paying attention to the following six results: adhesions, loss of mucosal folds, rounded edges of mucosal folds, debris, foreign bodies, and abnormal vessels.

PATIENT(S): From April 2008 through June 2009, 104 women in whom unexplained infertility had been diagnosed underwent salpingoscopy. The F scores were evaluated related with various clinical results or pregnancy rates.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The F score expressed the sum of the abnormal results, and one abnormal result was given a 1-point F score.

RESULTS

Approximately 60% of the patients showed an F score of 0, and the percentages of patients who showed 1, 2, 3, and ≥4 points were 19.2%, 11.5%, 4.5%, and 4.5%, respectively. After evaluation, 23 patients achieved pregnancy within a year. The pregnancy rates for patients with F scores of 0 and 1 point were 30.6% and 20.0%, respectively, and the rate of patients with an F score of 0 was significantly higher than the rate of patients with high F scores (F score ≥2; 9.1%).

CONCLUSION(S): The patients showing a lower F score (0 or 1) showed higher fecundity than those showing an F score of ≥2.