Therapeutic value of selective salpingography for infertile women with patent fallopian tubes: the impact on pregnancy rate.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the therapeutic value of selective salpingography (SSG) for infertile women with patent fallopian tubes.


METHODS
Retrospective, case-control analysis.


METHODS
University Hospital, infertility clinic.


METHODS
Infertile cases with patent tubes documented by hysterosalpingography (HSG) or by HSG followed by laparoscopic examination (n = 80).


METHODS
Hysteroscopic SSG.


METHODS
Patency rate of tubes by SSG. Pregnancy rate following SSG.


RESULTS
Eighty cases were divided into the study group (SSG performed, 37 cases) and the case-control group (SSG not performed, 43 cases). Successful SSG of at least one tube was obtained in all of 37 cases (100%) in whom SSG was attempted. A patency rate of 95.9% was documented in the 73 cannulated tubes of these cases. The total subsequent pregnancy rate (48.6%) within 12 months of follow-up after SSG was significantly higher than that (11.6%) obtained in the control group (p < 0.001). The cumulative pregnancy rate in the study group was also significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of the present study encourage the application of SSG to infertile women, either as a sole therapeutic approach or in association with other methods of assisted reproductive technology, even if their fallopian tubes are shown to be patent by HSG.
Kamiyama
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of the Ryukyus Faculty of Medicine, Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan.
Miyagi
H
H
Kanazawa
K
K
D000328:Adult; D005184:Fallopian Tube Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D005186:Fallopian Tube Patency Tests; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase; D006801:Humans; D007047:Hysterosalpingography; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012189:Retrospective Studies