Falloposcopy--a prerequisite to the proper assessment of tubal infertility

OBJECTIVE: To review the technique and results of falloposcopy, and the classification and management of fallopian tube disease. DATA SOURCES: Medline and non-Medline search of the relevant English literature, and personal experience. STUDY SELECTION: Studies involving the use of falloposcopy to assess tubal status were selected for review. DATA EXTRACTION: The procedure of falloposcopy and its possible problems and complications were studied. Results from falloposcopy were compared with those from conventional investigations of tubal status, and their correlation with pregnancy was evaluated. DATA SYNTHESIS: Falloposcopy gives a better assessment of tubal status than conventional methods and can also predict the subsequent pregnancy rate. By falloposcopy, the decision of the mode of therapy for subfertility can be changed in more than 60% of patients. CONCLUSION: Examination of the fallopian tube using falloposcopy allows an accurate assessment of the tubal status to be made and is a prerequisite to deciding the most appropriate mode of assisted reproductive therapy.