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First experiences with hysterosalpingo-foam sonography (HyFoSy) for office tubal patency testing
Mark Hans Emanuel1, Michelle van Vliet, Maaike Weber
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Spaarne Ziekenhuis Heemstede/Hoofddorp, PO Box 770, 2130 AT Hoofddorp, The Netherlands. m@emanuel.nl
Background:
This study was conducted to describe the first experiences with hysterosalpingo-foam sonography (HyFoSy) as a first step routine office procedure for tubal patency testing.
Methods:
A prospective observational cohort study was started in a university affiliated teaching hospital. In 2010, 73 patients with subfertility and a low risk of tubal pathology were examined. A non-toxic foam containing hydroxymethylcellulose and glycerol was applicated through a cervical applicator for contrast sonography (HyFoSy). Tubal patency was determined by transvaginal ultrasonographic demonstration of echogenic dispersion of foam in the Fallopian tube and/or the peritoneal cavity. Only in case patency could not be demonstrated, a hysterosalpingography (HSG) was performed as a control.
Results:
In 67 out of 73 (92%) patients, a successful procedure was performed. In 57 out of 73 (78%) cases, there was no further need for a HSG. In five patients (5/73; 7%) tubal occlusion was confirmed by HSG and in five patients (5/73; 7%) there was discordance between HyFoSy and HSG. Of 73 patients, 14 (19%) conceived within a median of 3 months after the procedure.
Conclusions:
HyFoSy is a successful procedure to demonstrate tubal patency as a first step office procedure.
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