Long-term fertility prognosis following selective salpingography and tubal catheterization in women with proximal tubal blockage

Abstract

Objective: The possibility of a conception following selective salpingography and tubal catheterization under fluoroscopic guidance is believed to decline sharply a few months following the procedure. However, this observation may be due to the relatively small number of patients and short follow up periods in previous studies. Our objective was to investigate the issue further.Design: Cohort StudyMaterials/Methods: Survival analysis of conceptions of 218 consecutive infertile women with proximal tubal blockage who underwent selective salpingography and tubal catheterization. No exclusion criteria were applied. Follow up ranged from 16 to 56 months.Results: 47.2% of spontaneous conceptions and 43.2% of all conceptions apart from those achieved by IVF or ICSI treatments, occurred after the first 12 months following selective salpingography and tubal catheterization. The decline in the possibility of pregnancy during the study period (conception hazard rate) was only minimal (Figure). Conclusions: In a population of infertile women with proximal tubal blockage, a significant proportion of conceptions occur after the first twelve months following selective salpingography and tubal catheterization. The presence of any causes of infertility in addition to proximal tubal blockage should not necessarily be regarded as an absolute contraindication to the procedure.Supported by: No support. Objective: The possibility of a conception following selective salpingography and tubal catheterization under fluoroscopic guidance is believed to decline sharply a few months following the procedure. However, this observation may be due to the relatively small number of patients and short follow up periods in previous studies. Our objective was to investigate the issue further. Design: Cohort Study Materials/Methods: Survival analysis of conceptions of 218 consecutive infertile women with proximal tubal blockage who underwent selective salpingography and tubal catheterization. No exclusion criteria were applied. Follow up ranged from 16 to 56 months. Results: 47.2% of spontaneous conceptions and 43.2% of all conceptions apart from those achieved by IVF or ICSI treatments, occurred after the first 12 months following selective salpingography and tubal catheterization. The decline in the possibility of pregnancy during the study period (conception hazard rate) was only minimal (Figure). Conclusions: In a population of infertile women with proximal tubal blockage, a significant proportion of conceptions occur after the first twelve months following selective salpingography and tubal catheterization. The presence of any causes of infertility in addition to proximal tubal blockage should not necessarily be regarded as an absolute contraindication to the procedure. Supported by: No support.