The learning curve of selective salpingography and tubal catheterization.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of increasing experience in fluoroscopically guided selective salpingography and tubal catheterization on radiation doses and screening times, thus establishing a learning curve for the procedure.

DESIGN

Retrospective case note analysis.

SETTING

IVF center of an academic teaching hospital.

PATIENTS: Three hundred sixty-six patients with infertility seen over 3.5 years.

INTERVENTION(S): Fluoroscopically guided selective salpingography and tubal catheterization.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Reductions in radiation doses and screening times for different categories of selective salpingography and tubal catheterization, expressed as percentage reductions during the study period and reductions per 10 procedures.

RESULT(S): During the study period, The median dose of radiation decreased by 62.6%-71.9%, and the median screening time declined by 61.5%-78.5%. Reductions per 10 procedures were 2.5%-4.2% and 2.7%-5%, respectively.

CONCLUSION(S): Significant reductions in radiation doses and screening times start early in a clinical team's practice of selective salpingography and tubal catheterization and continue even as trainees are added to the pool of operators.