Proximal Tubal Obstruction: Pathogenesis and Management

Abstract

Abstract

Objective:

Proximal tubal obstruction is diagnosed with 15% of hysterosalpingograms performed for patients who have infertility. The accepted management is tubal catheterization. The aim of this research was to determine the success of this procedure in patients who had proximal tubal obstruction.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective analysis was performed, using the data for 37 patients who were evaluated for infertility. Ultimately, the charts of 36 patients who completed the procedure were reviewed. According to the charts, these patients underwent fallopian tube catherization under fluoroscopy with interventional radiology. The charts also showed that, in 14 patients, there was bilateral proximal tubal obstruction, and, in the remaining 22 patients, there was only unilateral tubal blockage.

Results:

There were 4 unsuccessful catherization procedures; the success rate of the catherizations was 88.8%. After catherization, 13 patients achieved pregnancy rate of 40%.

Conclusions:

Tubal catherization has replaced microsurgery for treating proximal tubal obstruction with excellent results, with a clinical pregnancy rate of 13.3%–55%. Interventional radiology for tubal catherization leads to great patency and pregnancy rates, with short stays in the hospital and quick recovery.