Does hydrosalpinx reduce the pregnancy rate after in vitro fertilization?

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of hydrosalpinges on the pregnancy rate in an IVF program.

DESIGN

Multicentric retrospective analysis of clinical and laboratory data.

SETTING

Two assisted reproductive technology centers in university hospitals.

PATIENT(S): Four hundred forty-three women, under 38 years of age, with pure tubal infertility. The patients were classified into the following five groups: bilateral hydrosalpinges (n = 37), unilateral hydrosalpinx (n = 54), bilateral tubal occlusion (n = 207), unilateral tubal occlusion (n = 55), and severe tubal disease without complete occlusion (n = 90).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy and implantation rates.

RESULT(S): The pregnancy and the implantation rates per transfer (12.3% and 5.4%) obtained by women with bilateral hydrosalpinges are significantly lower than the rates (means = 23.1% and 12%) for all other tubal infertility groups.

CONCLUSION(S): Bilateral hydrosalpinges have a deleterious effect on the outcome of IVF program.