Restoring tubal patency with laparoscopic tubocornual anastomosis

To assess the technical feasibility of laparoscopic tubocornual anastomosis (TCA) at restoring tubal patency in patients with proximal tubal occlusions.

A retrospective analysis of fourteen females with identified proximal tubal occlusions seeking to restore their tubal patency in a university-affiliated tertiary hospital between 2011 and 2018. Tubal patency within one year after the surgery was evaluated.

The patients had a mean age of 34.0 ± 3.6 years old, median parity of 1 child, and mean BMI of 23.0 ± 5.2 kg/m². Of the fourteen patients, two (14.3%) received bilateral TCA, eight (57.1%) received only unilateral TCA, and four (28.6%) received TCA on one side and tubal anastomosis on the other. The operative time was 126.4 ± 37.9min for unilateral procedure and 201.0 ± 1.4 min for bilateral anastomoses. Postoperative hysterosalpingogram (HSG) demonstrated a patency rate of 64.2% at the TCA sites. Two ectopic pregnancies were reported thereafter.

This preliminary series demonstrates that laparoscopic TCA is technically feasible and provides promising results for patients with proximal tubal occlusions hoping to restore their tubal function in order to conceive naturally. A larger prospective series is mandatory to establish its significance and application in clinical practices. Notably, infertile patients without surgically correctable factors are not suitable for this procedure.