Tubal blockages are not only a cause for infertility, but also pain. There are several procedures to clear blockages within the fallopian tubes, and different ones are used for different circumstances. Blockages are treated based on location within the tube, type of blockage and the desires of the patient.
Tubal Reanastomosis
Tubal reanastomosis is used in cases of a blockage within the middle of the tube, to reverse a tubal ligation (female sterilization), or because of damage to the tube. In this procedure, the blocked or damaged portion of the fallopian tube is removed and the two healthy ends are sewn or spliced back together. This gives the patient a healthy, albeit shorter, fallopian tube.
Pregnancy rates after a tubal ligation reversal using tubal reanastomosis are in excess of 80 percent.
Salpingectomy
Salpingectomy is the removal of part of a fallopian tube. This procedure is most often performed prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF) if the patient has a build-up of fluid within the tube. This build-up of fluid is called a hydrosalpinx. IVF success rates are much higher after salpingectomies if there was a hydrosalpinx large enough to be seen by ultrasound.
There was some controversy in the infertility community regarding whether unnecessary salpingectomies were being performed. One Scandinavian study found that IVF success rates and long-term fertility rates were definitely higher in cases where a salpingectomy was performed.
Salpingostomy
A salpingostomy is performed either to drain a hydrosalpinx or to remove an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus, within the fallopian tube). In this procedure, a small incision is made in the fallopian tube, allowing the fluid to drain or the products of conception to be flushed out. In many cases, the tube is left to close and heal on its own.
It should be noted that after this procedure, scar tissue is likely to build up and re-block the tube after a period of time.
Selective Tubal Cannulation
A selective tubal cannulation is performed when the blockage is very near the uterus. In this procedure, a thin cannula or stint is inserted through the blockage, connecting the fallopian tube and uterus and allowing normal function to continue through the stint.
Tags: fallopian tube, this procedure, build-up fluid, success rates, tubal ligation, tube this procedure
