Factors influencing the success of salpingostomy techniques for distal fimbrial obstruction

The present study reviews the pregnancy outcome of 99 patients treated with salpingostomy techniques for distal fimbrial obstruction. Eighty-seven patients were treated with terminal salpingostomy, 10 with medioampullary salpingostomy, and 2 with isthmic salpingostomy. The pregnancy rates were 28%, 20%, and 0%, respectively. Within the terminal salpingostomy group, 5 of 18 patients treated with a prosthesis conceived, for a pregnancy rate of 28%. Nineteen of the 69 patients treated with an eversion technique conceived, for a pregnancy rate of 28%. No advantage with the use of a terminal prosthesis could be demonstrated. Tubal disease treated with techniques of salpingostomy was categorized according to a classification incorporating the several prognostic factors thought to influence subsequent conception. The pregnancy rate was found to be in direct relationship to the extent of tubal disease and pelvic adhesion formation. The tubal patency rate decreased in direct relationship to the extent of disease. The use of postoperative hydrotubation did not appear to improve the conception rate after salpingostomy for distal fimbrial obstruction.