Does hydrosalpinx reduce the pregnancy rate after in vitro fertilization?

Abstract

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.