Tubal obstruction after ligation reversal surgery: results of catheter recanalization.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of transcervical fallopian tube catheterization in restoring tubal patency after ligation reversal surgery.


METHODS
Twenty-four women with tubal obstruction after ligation reversal surgery underwent selective salpingography and tubal recanalization.


RESULTS
Patency was established in 26 (68%) of 38 anastomotic tubes without complication. In the 13 patients who were followed up and who could conceive only via a recanalized anastomotic tube, there were six (46%) pregnancies: two (15%) successful uterine pregnancies, two (15%) early spontaneous abortions, and two (15%) tubal pregnancies. The mean time from procedure to conception was 2 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Patency of fallopian tubes not visualized at hysterosalpingography after ligation reversal surgery can be established 68% of the time with selective salpingography. In some patients, selective salpingography can be therapeutic. If subsequent conception occurs in these patients, it occurs shortly after the catheterization procedure.
Thurmond
A S
AS
Department of Radiology, Legacy Meridian Park Hospital, Tualatin, OR 97062, USA.
Brandt
K R
KR
Gorrill
M J
MJ
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005184:Fallopian Tube Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007047:Hysterosalpingography; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011274:Pregnancy, Tubal / Q000209:etiology; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D013243:Sterilization Reversal; D013246:Sterilization, Tubal; D016896:Treatment Outcome