[Fallopian tube endoscopy in 1996]

To establish the statement in 1996 of the exploration of the Fallopian tubes by falloposcopy in the framework of the tubal or unexplained sterility.

The feasibility of the method, the endotubal aspect and the potential contribution of the falloposcopy in the exploration of the tubes of infertile women were analyzed from a review of the literature and a personal experience of 145 tubal endoscopies.

Tubal catheterism rate is 91%; duration of the exploration varies from 30 to 40 minutes and decreases with the experience of the surgeon. The tubal lumen is explored correctly on all its length in more of 71% of cases. The tubal complications represented by perforations occur in 5% of cases and essentially on pathological tubes. False-negative and false-positive rates of the couple hysterosalpingography/laparoscopy are respectively 57 and 17% as compared to the falloposcopy.

The falloposcopy is a safe and reproductible method. The exploration of Fallopian tubes by this technique dressed more precise than that obtained from indirect manner by known examinations that are hysterosalpingography and the laparoscopy.