Agreement between hysterosalpingography and laparoscopic chromopertubation in assessment of tubal patency.

BACKGROUND

To assess the agreement between tubal patency assessed by laparoscopy with chromopertubation and by hysterosalpingography using contrast media.

SETTING

University Medical School.

PATIENTS: 314 consecutive women subjected to laparoscopy and hysterosalpingography for an infertility study.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

METHODS

Chromopertubation using Methylen blue dye, performed on days 20-24. Hysterosalpingography performed on days 7-10 with water soluble contrast.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Kappa coefficient calculation.

RESULTS

Kappa coefficient ranged from 0.40 to 0.36, depending on the categories analyzed, corresponding to a fair agreement.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of tubal factor requires that both tubal patency tests (Hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy) show an abnormal patency. When one of the aforementioned tests is normal, performing the second one has little clinical advantage. However, it is suggested that when there is a discordant patency the pregnancy rates could be somewhat reduced.