Selective salpingography and fallopian tube catheterisation by guidewire

The use of selective salpingography and tubal cannulation in the management of patients with proximal tubal obstruction in the UK is variable in spite of a National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommendation. A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent selective salpingography and fallopian tube catheterisation (SS/TC). A total of 16 patients underwent this procedure. Patency of at least one tube was achieved in 16 of the 20 tubes attempted. Pregnancy was achieved in 35% of patients after the procedure. The ectopic pregnancy rate was 7%. One pregnancy occurred in a patient after the procedure was repeated. The availability of laparoscopy findings was valuable in identifying tubes with established disease and where the procedure might be expected to be unsuccessful or result in a high risk of ectopic pregnancy. Hence, selective salpingography and tubal cannulation procedure should be considered as a therapeutic option for all patients with proximal tubal block before considering IVF or tubal surgery.