title: Cauterization of hydrosalpinges before in vitro fertilization is an effective surgical treatment associated with improved pregnancy rates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our purpose was to determine whether proximal tubal cauterization is an effective method of reversing the decreased pregnancy rates seen in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer with hydrosalpinges present.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied a group of 94 patients with tubal factor infertility. Sixty patients had hydrosalpinges documented by either hysterosalpingography or laparoscopy, or both. Forty-five had surgical treatment of hydrosalpinges by salpingectomy or by proximal tubal cauterization. In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer was performed within 3 months after surgery. Pregnancy and implantation rates were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with hydrosalpinx had significantly decreased clinical pregnancy and implantation rates per cycle (14% and 8%, respectively) compared with those of patients undergoing proximal tubal cauterization before the in vitro fertilization cycle (73% and 36%, respectively). These pregnancy and implantation rates are comparable with those found in patients with tubal factor infertility without hydrosalpinges (53% and 22%, respectively), as well as in salpingectomy-treated patients (46% and 24%, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Proximal tubal cauterization is effective in reversing the adverse effects of hydrosalpinges.
authors.affiliation: North Carolina Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cary 27511, USA.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Stadtmauer
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Riehl
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Toma
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Talbert
mesh_terms: D002425:Cautery; D005184:Fallopian Tube Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate