The incidence of fallopian tube patency after transcervical resection of the endometrium including rollerball diathermy to the tubal ostia.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the incidence of tubal patency as well as the shape of the endometrial cavity after transcervical resection of the endometrium.

DESIGN

An open observational trial.

SETTING

The obstetrics and gynecology unit at a district hospital in Norway.

PATIENTS: Fifty consecutive patients who had undergone treatment for menorrhagia and metrorrhagia by resection of the endometrium and coagulation of the tubal ostium were included in the study.

INTERVENTION: A hysterosalpingogram was performed with a semistiff catheter and injection of 20 mL contrast dye 5 to 12 months after transcervical resection of the endometrium and fibroids.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Tubal patency and uterine cavity morphology.

RESULTS

Forty-four patients showed total occlusion of the fallopian tubes, and the uterine cavity showed fibrosis and narrowing of the cavity. Three patients showed bilateral and three patients unilateral tubal patency.

CONCLUSION

Shrinkage and fibrosis of the uterine cavity occur after endometrial resection. A significant number of women after transcervical resection of the endometrium have patient tubes (13%) despite coagulation of the tubal ostia.