Initial experience of a new linear everting falloposcopy system in comparison with hysterosalpingography.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the endolumenal portion of the fallopian tube from ostium to fimbria using a specially designed linear everting catheter and microendoscope. The study compared falloposcopy results with those obtained with hysterosalpingography (HSG) in the same patients and explored the system's ability to classify internal tubal conditions.

DESIGN

A prospective study of a new diagnostic technique, falloposcopy, versus conventional means of evaluating tubal status.

SETTING

A tertiary university infertility center.

PATIENTS

Eighteen infertile patients with a previous history of infertility of at least 2 years duration.

INTERVENTION

Diagnostic falloposcopy was performed on a total of 31 tubes.

RESULTS

Although the results of HSG and falloposcopy were in agreement in 19 cases, falloposcopy findings were at significant variance with HSG in 12 cases (40%). Seventeen of the tubes visualized by falloposcopy were considered to be normal, 10 showed mild disease, and 4 were severely damaged.

CONCLUSION

Falloposcopy using the linear everting catheter is rapid and atraumatic. It provides more complete information concerning tubal status than HSG and as such constitutes an important advance in diagnosis and therapy planning.