The diagnostic value of hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy in infertility investigation

Four hundred and twenty infertile patients had hysterosalpingography (HSG) and laparoscopy as a part of their infertility workup. A comparison of HSG and laparoscopy findings was carried out to study the diagnostic value of each of these two procedures. It was found that the accuracy in the diagnosis of tubal patency or tubal blockage was quite similar for both procedures. However, laparoscopy revealed peritubal adhesions in 29.8% of patients, whereas HSG made an accurate diagnosis in only 8.8%. It is concluded that HSG is as accurate as laparoscopy in the diagnosis of tubal patency or blockage, and should remain an integral part of female infertility investigation. Laparoscopy excels HSG in the diagnosis of pelvic pathology and thus should always be performed whenever a pelvic factor is suspected in female infertility.