Pregnancy outcomes after fallopian tube recanalization: oil-based versus water-soluble contrast agents.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing fallopian tube recanalization (FTR) with use of oil-based versus water-soluble contrast agents.


METHODS
Ninety-three patients with unilateral or bilateral proximal tubal occlusion confirmed by hysterosalpingography or laparoscopy underwent FTR with use of water-soluble contrast material alone (n = 50) or also had an oil-based agent injected into each tube after recanalization (n = 43). Pregnancy rates and outcomes of the two groups were studied retrospectively.


RESULTS
With respect to differences between groups, only the body mass index proved to be a significant predictor (oil, 28.4; water, 24.7; P =.008). Mean age, duration of infertility, type of infertility, and initial diagnosis were comparable. There was a weak trend toward a higher pregnancy rate in the oil-based contrast material group, but it was not significant (P =.64). The average time to pregnancy was 4.4 months with use of oil-based contrast material, compared to 7.7 months with use of only water-soluble contrast material (P =.03).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of an oil-based agent had little effect on the rate of conception, but time to conception was reduced by more than 3 months.
Pinto
Anil B M
AB
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Hovsepian
David M
DM
Wattanakumtornkul
Saranya
S
Pilgram
Thomas K
TK
D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media; D005184:Fallopian Tube Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D005186:Fallopian Tube Patency Tests; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007047:Hysterosalpingography / Q000379:methods*; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy*; D009821:Oils; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014867:Water
D003287:Contrast Media; D009821:Oils; D014867:Water