Falloposcopy

Indications

Falloposcopy has been primarily used in diagnosis and management of tubal infertility, however, it is generally not considered part of the routine work-up for infertility. Most tubal problems in women with infertility are treated by IVF. There is no established role for falloposcopy for evaluation of other tubal pathology.

Instrumentation

The first modern falloposcope that was described was the coaxial system by Kerin in 1970. Later the linerar-everting catheter (LEC) system was introduced. A coaxial falloposcope is an microendoscope of 0.5 mm diameter that is flexible and contains optical and illuminating fibers; it has a magnifying capacity. The coaxial system needs a hysteroscope for its uterine passage. In contrast, the LEC system consists of an external unfurling ballon catheter with an internal endoscope that is used transcervically without the need for a hysteroscope.

Procedure

The patient needs general anesthesia or conscious sedation for the duration of the procedure and is in a lithotomy position. For the coaxial system initially a hysteroscope is introduced into the uterus to identify the proximal tubal ostium. Once the ostium is identified the falloposcope can be inserted through the operative channel of the hysteroscope and advanced. With the LEC system the balloon catheter is advanced into the uterine horn, and then, under endoscopic vision the endoscope is advanced into the tube as the balloon catheter unfurls. Findings can be projected on a videosystem.

Findings and interventions

The typical method of tubal evaluation, hysterosalpingography, has shortcomings in terms of false negative and false positive results. Extensive tubal obstruction, however, cannot be overcome by falloposcopy and would require tubal surgery or in vitro fertilization (IVF) to be overcome to achieve a pregnancy.

Complications

Perforation of a fallopian tube appears the only reported complication and is encountered in about 4-5% of inspected tubes.

Limitations

In 2001, Rimbach et al. reported in a large multicenter study involving 367 patients on the limitations of the procedure. Problems were encountered in the ability to enter the tubes, and, even when tubes were cannulated, light reflexions or "white out" from healthy tissue as well as adhesions turned out to be a major problem. Thus, the investigators were able to fully examine tubes in only 2 out of 3 cases; perforations occurred in about 4% of cases. Since then, interest in falloposcopy has declined and few studies have been published.

The procedure is not usually used in the United Kingdom.

References

References

1. (1999). "Transcervical Falloscopic dilatation of proximal tubal occlusion. Is there an indication?". Human Reproduction.
2. (March 1999). "Falloposcopy--a prerequisite to the proper assessment of tubal infertility". Hong Kong Med J..
3. Padubidri. (1 January 2005). "Gynaecology". Elsevier India.
4. (2005). "The third key: a Jewish couple's guide to fertility". Feldheim Publishers.
5. (1992). "Falloposcopic classification and treatment of fallopian tube lumen disease". Fertility and Sterility.
6. (1987). "Hysteroscopic cannulation and lavage in the treatment of proximal tubal occlusion". Steril Fertil.
7. (May 2001). "Technical results of falloposcopy for infertility diagnosis in a large multicentre study". Hum. Reprod..
8. (23 June 2004). "2 The procedure {{!}} Falloposcopy with coaxial catheter {{!}} Guidance {{!}} NICE".