[The current role of microsurgery and in vitro fertilization in the treatment of tubal infertility].

Tubal sterility is an important cause of sterility in the couple. Its treatment has been revolutionised, firstly by the progress in microsurgery and, more recently, by the current progress in in vitro fertilisation. Consequently, the gynecologist must have a very good knowledge of sterility in the couple and of tubal pathology. The authors report the results of 400 microsurgical operations performed in the Maternity department of the Port-Royal hospital and compare these results with those of in vitro fertilisation. In the light of these results, they then attempt to define the therapeutic indications which depend on a very precise investigation of the condition of the tubes. Microsurgery and in vitro fertilisation constitute complementary approaches in cases which are difficult to evaluate.