Intratubal pressure before and after transcervical catheterization of the fallopian tubes.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the intratubal pressure (ITP) and patency status of the fallopian tubes before and after transcervical catheterization of the fallopian tubes (TCFT).

DESIGN

Prospective procedural assessment.

SETTING

Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction.

PATIENT(S): Two hundred thirty-four women with either primary or secondary infertility.

INTERVENTION(S): Patients underwent selective hysterosalpingography and, in some cases, TCFT with measurement of the ITP before and after the procedure.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The ITP before and after TCFT.

RESULT(S): The mean (+/-SD) ITP in freely patent tubes was 0.53 +/- 0.06 atm, that in partially obstructed tubes was 1.23 +/- 0.52 atm, and that in completely obstructed tubes was 2.79 +/- 1.40 atm. After TCFT, the mean (+/-SD) ITP in partially obstructed tubes decreased to 0.64 +/- 0.31 atm and that in completely obstructed tubes decreased to 1.86 +/- 1.35 atm. The ITP was normalized in 76% of partially obstructed tubes and in 29.5% of completely obstructed tubes. In all cases of complete obstruction in which surgical correction was attempted, organic pathology was identified.

CONCLUSION(S): The procedure described is a safe and easy means of obtaining reliable and significant information on the status of the proximal fallopian tube.