Selective salpingography: preliminary experience of an office operative option for proximal tubal recanalization

Objective

Embryo transfer (ET) is an important last step during the process of IVF. Over the years much has been learned about the importance of the details of this procedure including the potential impact of transfer depth on outcome. The objective of our study was to evaluate whether transfer depth assessed by air bubble location after ET is associated with clinical outcome.

Study design

Retrospective analysis of the association between transfer distance from the fundus (assessed by air bubble location after ET) and IVF outcome based on cycles (N = 409) of patients with good prognosis undergoing infertility treatment for various indications. Treatments followed standard stimulation, IVF-ICSI and ET procedures. The distance of the air bubble as a surrogate marker of embryo location after transfer was measured and was correlated with implantation (IR) and pregnancy rates (PR) after day 3 and day 5 ET. Univariate comparisons were performed by nonparametric methods and multiple logistic regression was used to further evaluate the association between pregnancy rate and those factors that might influence outcome.

Results

The distance of the bubble was similar in those cycles that led to a pregnancy and those that did not (6.7 vs 6.5 mm; p = 0.48) and PR were comparable when the transfer was in the upper or middle third of the cavity. The IR did not differ when embryos were transferred into the upper, middle or lower third of the uterine cavity. Outcome was analyzed separately based on the day of transfer (cleavage vs blastocyst stage) and the IR did not differ based on the location of the transfer.

Conclusions

Transfer depth does not affect implantation and pregnancy rates when the ET is in the middle or upper third of the uterus.     

The learning curve of selective salpingography and tubal catheterization

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of increasing experience in fluoroscopically guided selective salpingography and tubal catheterization on radiation doses and screening times, thus establishing a learning curve for the procedure. DESIGN: Retrospective case note analysis. SETTING: IVF center of an academic teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Three hundred sixty-six patients with infertility seen over 3.5 years. INTERVENTION(S): Fluoroscopically guided selective salpingography and tubal catheterization. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Reductions in radiation doses and screening times for different categories of selective salpingography and tubal catheterization, expressed as percentage reductions during the study period and reductions per 10 procedures. RESULT(S): During the study period, The median dose of radiation decreased by 62.6%-71.9%, and the median screening time declined by 61.5%-78.5%. Reductions per 10 procedures were 2.5%-4.2% and 2.7%-5%, respectively. CONCLUSION(S): Significant reductions in radiation doses and screening times start early in a clinical team's practice of selective salpingography and tubal catheterization and continue even as trainees are added to the pool of operators.     

Diagnostic and therapeutic value of selective salpingography and tubal catheterization in an unselected infertile population

OBJECTIVE: To present diagnostic findings and fertility outcome after selective salpingography and tubal catheterization in an unselected infertile population. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary reproductive medicine unit. PATIENT(S): One hundred ten consecutive infertile women. No exclusion criteria were applied. Follow-up ranged from 16 to 54 months. INTERVENTION(S): Selective salpingography and tubal catheterization under fluoroscopic guidance as the primary test for the assessment of the fallopian tubes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Incidence of tubal disease at selective salpingography, therapeutic effectiveness of tubal catheterization, and fertility outcome after the procedure. RESULT(S): Tubal disease was present in 31.4% of the tubes examined. Of tubes proximally blocked at selective salpingography, 52.1% were found to be normal after tubal catheterization. Proximal tubal blockage (bilateral or unilateral) was detected in 34.8% of women. This was reduced to 5.5% after tubal catheterization. Spontaneous conceptions occurred in 21.9% of the women. In total, 36.2% conceived without IVF or ICSI. CONCLUSION(S): Selective salpingography and tubal catheterization can be useful as a primary tubal assessment tool in the investigation of infertility. In cases of proximal tubal blockage, an effective see-and-treat approach can be adopted. More research into the possible therapeutic benefits of the procedure is justified.     

Ovarian performance after laparoscopic salpingectomy or proximal tubal division of hydrosalpinx

ObjectiveTo compare the effect of laparoscopic salpingectomy and proximal fallopian tubal division on ovarian function after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.MethodsSeventy-six patients undergoing their first IVF-ET cycle were divided into (group 1) 20 patients undergoing laparoscopic salpingectomy, (group 2) 19 patients undergoing proximal tubal division, and (group 3) 37 tubal-factor patients without hydrosalpinx as control group.Main Outcome Measure(s)Ovarian artery pulsatility index (PI), basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels before and after surgery, operative time, total dose and duration of IVF stimulation, number of retrieved and fertilized oocytes, and the number of embryos transferred.Result(s)No significant differences in mean ovarian artery pulsatility indices among any of the groups before or after surgery. The mean FSH value was similar before and after laparoscopic proximal tubal division. The FSH value significantly increased after laparoscopic salpingectomy. The operative time in the PTD group was significantly shorter than in the salpingectomy group. Total dose and duration of stimulation and the number of retrieved and fertilized oocytes were not significantly different between groups 1, and 2 or the control group.Conclusion(s)Laparoscopic salpingectomy or proximal tubal division gives similar responses to IVF-ET cycles. However, proximal tubal division preserved ovarian function.     

Outcome of Laparoscopy-Guided Hysteroscopic Tubal Catheterization for Infertility Due to Proximal Tubal Obstruction

Study ObjectiveTo determine pregnancy outcomes after laparoscopy-guided hysteroscopic tubal catheterization and to report its role in the era of in vitro fertilization.DesignClinical cases series (Canadian Task Force classification II-3).SettingReproductive surgery center.PatientsPatients with unilateral or bilateral proximal tubal obstruction as the only cause of infertility were included.InterventionsLaparoscopy-guided hysteroscopic tubal catheterization.Measurements and Main ResultsOnly the first spontaneous conception was considered. Cumulative conception rate (CCR) was calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Of 168 women included, 107 (63.7%) had bilateral proximal obstruction and 61 (36.3%) had unilateral obstruction. The successful recanalization rate was 54.2% per tube and 61.9% per patient. In the 93 patients in whom at least 1 fallopian tube was successfully recanalized, 40 spontaneous pregnancies (43.0%) occurred within 24 months, of which 35 (37.6%) were intrauterine pregnancies and 28 (30.1%) resulted in live births. The CCR was 37.6% at 1 year and 43.7% at 2 years. Patients with unilateral obstruction in whom cannulation was successful had the highest CCR (60.7% at 2 years).ConclusionSuccessful tubal cannulation led to significant improvement in the pregnancy rate, which suggests that women with a proximal tubal block could be considered for laparoscopy-guided hysteroscopic cannulation, which is still a viable alternative to in vitro fertilization.     

Essure: a new device for hysteroscopic tubal sterilization in an outpatient setting

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of hysteroscopic placement of an intratubal device for permanent birth control in 85 women in an outpatient setting. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: Private university hospital. PATIENT(S): Eighty-five premenopausal women who asked for tubal sterilization by hysteroscopy between July 2002 and July 2003. INTERVENTION(S): Hysteroscopic placement of titanium-dacron intratubal devices in an outpatient setting. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Procedure feasibility without anesthesia, success rate of device implantation, patient satisfaction, and confirmation of correct placement. RESULT(S): Successful placement was achieved in 81 patients (95%). Mean time elapsed between the start of hysteroscopy, placement of devices, and removal of optics was 9 minutes (range, 1-35 minutes). No intraoperative or postoperative complications were detected. Of 81 patients, 75 (93%) had abdominal x-ray performed at the third month; bilateral correct placement was confirmed in all of them. CONCLUSION(S): Essure is a safe, effective, and minimally aggressive procedure with satisfactory patient acceptance that does not require anesthesia or hospitalization. It seems to be a good alternative to laparoscopic tubal sterilization.     

Conservative surgical management of placenta percreta: two cases with an emphasis on tubal patency

A 32-year-old woman, gravida 2 para 1, was hospitalized in the 31st week of gestation with a diagnosis of preterm labor. Ritodrine tocolysis failed to control uterine contractions, and an emergency cesarean section was performed for a decelerative fetal heart rate tracing. After the infant was delivered, ligation of the bilateral uterine arteries and their anastomoses with the ovarian arteries was performed. A 4×6-cm ellipsoid area of the anterior uterine corpus with placenta percreta was excised. Unilateral tubal occlusion was noted on hysterosalpingography 3 months after surgery, but the patient refused further interventions. The second case we present is that of a 28-year-old woman, gravida 3 para 2, who had her third cesarean delivery at the 38th week of gestation because of bleeding from placenta previa. We performed a repeat laparotomy for decreasing hemoglobin levels and drained 1,600 ml of blood from the abdomen. The bilateral uterine arteries and their anastomoses with ovarian arteries were ligated. Retained placental fragments were removed, and the bleeding areas were sutured. Despite resuturing of the vertical incision, uterine bleeding and hypotonia were observed, and transuterine sutures were inserted. Unilateral left tubal occlusion was observed on hysterosalpingography 3 months after surgery, and hysteroscopic balloon tuboplasty and laparoscopic tubal adhesiolysis were performed.     

Risk factors for rupture in tubal ectopic pregnancy: definition of the clinical findings

Objectives

The aim of this study is to determine the risk factors for rupture of an ectopic pregnancy (EP) to help physicians identify those women who are at greatest risk.

Study design

The study group comprised the cases of EP treated in our department from January 2003 to September 2009. The following parameters were retrospectively examined: rupture status, past history of pelvic infection or EP, use of an intrauterine device (IUD), parity and gestational age. Women with tubal rupture were compared to those without rupture. Where appropriate, univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify predictors of the outcome of EP.

Results

Two hundred and thirty-two cases of EP were retrieved. Eighty-eight of them (37.9%) were cases with ruptured EP and 144 (62.1%) were cases with unruptured EP. No significant associations existed regarding IUD use, smoking, previous ectopic pregnancy, past history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or history of endometriosis. The mean gestation (in weeks) since the last menstrual period and the mean level of βhCG were significantly higher in patients with ruptured EP compared with patients with unruptured EP (7.8 ± 1.09 versus 6.4 ± 1.2, p < 0.0001; and 8735.3 ± 11317.8 IU/ml versus 4506 ± 5673.7 IU/ml, p < 0.0001, respectively). Logistic regression analysis revealed that 6-8 weeks of amenorrhoea (OR: 3.67; 95% CI: 1.60-8.41) and >8 weeks of amenorrhoea (OR: 46.46; 95% CI: 14.20-152.05) and also 1501-5000 IU/ml of βhCG level (OR: 4.11; 95% CI: 1.53-11.01) and >5000 IU/ml of βhCG levels (OR: 4.40; 95% CI: 1.69-11.46) were the significant risk factors for tubal rupture.

Conclusions

Higher βhCG levels and higher gestational age seem to be significant risk factors for rupture of an EP.     

A novel use of vaginoscopic office hysteroscopy for prediction of tubal patency and peristalsis among infertile women: a preliminary study

The objective of this study is to test whether vaginoscopic office hysteroscopy (OH) can predict proximal tubal patency as compared with hysterosalpingography (HSG) and diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) and concomitantly tubal peristalsis in infertile women. This is a prospective cross sectional study. The setting is in the endoscopy unit of a tertiary hospital. A total of 85 infertile patients scheduled for laparoscopy are used as the sample of this study. The method used is the vaginoscopic OH in the outpatient infertility clinic to assess proximal tubal patency. The patency results will be compared to HSG and DL reports. Diagnostic accuracy of OH alone or in combination with HSG for assessment of proximal tubal patency in comparison to HSG and DL is the mean outcome measure. Office hysteroscopic bubble suction test was feasible in 78 cases (91.7 %). Patent tubes were diagnosed in 91 and 88.5, 92.3 and 91, and 93.6 and 93.6 % using OH, HSG, and DL on right and left sides, respectively. The percentage of agreement between OH and DL was 78 % while it was 84 % between HSG and DL regarding tubal patency testing. Diagnostic indices of OH were very close to those of HSG. Adding OH to HSG did not improve diagnostic accuracy. Positive osteal peristalsis was reported in 32 cases (42 %) and 28 cases (36.8 %) for right and left ostea, respectively. Hysteroscopic bubble suction test is a good initial screening test for tubal patency nearly comparable to HSG and DL. It should be attempted in every case of OH prior to referral for more invasive HSG or laparoscopic chromopertubation test. Hysteroscopic documentation of peristalsis of the proximal part of the tube is an interesting cofinding but requires more confirmatory studies.     

The efficacy of Implanon for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain associated with pelvic congestion: 1-year randomized controlled pilot study

Objective  To evaluate the beneficial effects of Implanon on pelvic pain in women with pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS). The efficacy of pain control, amount and frequency of menstrual loss, degree of patient’s satisfaction and objective pelvic venography scores were investigated. Methods  In a prospective open-labelled study, 25 consecutive women complaining of chronic pelvic pain were recruited. Pretreatment objective peruterine venography and diagnostic laparoscopy of pure PCS together with subjective pelvic pain scores, prefilled questionnaire of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), visual analogue scale (VAS), verbal rating scale (VRS) and quantified menstrual loss using the pictorial blood loss chart were documented in all cases. After identification, 23 subjects with pure PCS were randomly assigned to have either Implanon inserted subcutaneously (12 cases) or no treatment (11 cases). Patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. A symptom diary for side effects, VAS, VRS and menstrual scores were used to assess the subjective response to treatment. At the end of the study, all patients underwent repeat venography to assess the long-term objective response. After 12 months, subjects having Implanon inserted were requested to rate their overall degree of satisfaction with therapy. Results  All 25 women recruited in the study completed follow-up. Two cases were excluded from the study and referred to the psychiatry department after a negative evaluation for disease and HADS scores relevant for depression. An improvement in symptoms was observed throughout the 12 months amongst the Implanon group versus no treatment. The greatest changes in pain assessed using either the VAS or VRS were between the pretreatment scores and those after 6 months (7.7 ± 1.3 vs. 4.6 ± 3.0 for VAS, P < 0.001; and 25 ± 13.8 vs. 19 ± 18.9 for VRS, P < 0.002). The monthly quantified blood loss fell from 204 (196) pretreatment to 90 (157) at 6 months (P < 0.001) and then to 64 (32) at 9 months (P < 0.002). Objective repeat venography score was reduced significantly at 1 year after treatment compared with the baseline evaluation as well as with the control group (4.5 ± 1.2 vs. 8.6 ± 0.5; P = 0.001 and 4.2 ± 0.9 vs. 8.5 ± 0.6; P = 0.0002, respectively). At final satisfaction assessment, 2 (17%) women were very satisfied 8 (66%) were satisfied, and 2 (17%) were uncertain. The implant was retained by all women at the end of the study. Conclusion  Implanon seems to be an effective hormonal alternative for long-term treatment of properly selected patients with pure PCS-related pelvic pain.     

Retained foetal bones: an intrauterine cause of chronic pelvic pain

Intrauterine retention of foetal bones is an uncommon but recognised complication of late termination of pregnancy. Secondary subfertility, abnormal uterine bleeding and vaginal discharge are the usual presenting complaints. We report a case of prolonged retention of foetal bones for 14 years in a woman who presented with chronic pelvic pain. Hysteroscopic examination was diagnostic and therapeutic. Retained foetal bones are an uncommon intrauterine cause of chronic pelvic pain that should be considered particularly when a woman with a history of late termination presents with pelvic pain. Hysteroscopic evacuation is curative.     

Pelvic arterial embolization for control of obstetric hemorrhage: A five-year experience

Objective: Obstetric hemorrhage is a significant cause of maternal morbidity and death. Postpartum hemorrhage that cannot be controlled by local measures has traditionally been managed by bilateral uterine artery or hypogastric artery ligation. These techniques have a high failure rate, often resulting in hysterectomy. In contrast, endovascular embolization techniques have a success rate of >90%. An additional benefit of the latter procedure is that fertility is maintained. We report our experience at Stanford University Medical Center in which this technique was used in 6 cases within the past 5 years. Study Design: Six women between the ages of 18 and 41 years underwent placement of arterial catheters for emergency (n = 3) or prophylactic (n = 3) control of postpartum bleeding. Specific diagnoses included cervical pregnancy (n = 1), uterine atony (n = 3), and placenta previa and accreta (n = 2). Results: Control of severe or anticipated postpartum hemorrhage was obtained with transcatheter embolization in 4 patients. A fifth patient had balloon occlusion of the uterine artery performed prophylactically, but embolization was not necessary. In a sixth case, bleeding could not be controlled in time, and hysterectomy was performed. The only complication observed with this technique was postpartum fever in 1 patient, which was treated with antibiotics and resolved within 7 days. Conclusions: Uterine artery embolization is a superior first-line alternative to surgery for control of obstetric hemorrhage. Use of transcatheter occlusion balloons before embolization allows timely control of bleeding and permits complete embolization of the uterine arteries and hemostasis. Given the improved ultrasonography techniques, diagnosis of some potential high-risk conditions for postpartum hemorrhage, such as placenta previa or accreta, can be made prenatally. The patient can then be prepared with prophylactic placement of arterial catheters, and rapid occlusion of these vessels can be achieved if necessary. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;180:1454-60.)     

The use of an oral contraceptive containing estradiol valerate and dienogest before office operative hysteroscopy: a feasibility study

To investigate the impact of a 3 months preoperative administration of an oral contraceptive, containing dienogest (DNG) and estradiol valerate (E₂V) on the outcome of office operative hysteroscopy (OOH). One-hundred and forty-two patients diagnosed at office hysteroscopy as having an asynchronous endometrium associated with either a broad-base sessile endometrial polyp (>1.5, <2.5 cm) or a uterine septum (>1/3 uterine cavity) or scheduled for tubal sterilization were enrolled into a prospective case-control study at University “Federico II” of Naples. 86/142 patients accepted the preoperative hormonal treatment (Group A), while 56/142 refused, thus becoming controls (Group B). Group A underwent OOH during the 10th–20th days of the third cycle of treatment. In Group B OOH was performed at enrolment, together with the diagnostic procedure. The study outcomes were: endometrial pattern, success rate, operating time, degree of surgical difficulty and pain score. An overall improvement of the endometrium was reported in 100% of cases in Group A. A statistically significant difference in success rate could not be demonstrated between two groups. Operative procedures were performed significantly quicker and easier in Group A than Group B (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). The mean Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score was significantly lower in Group A (p < 0.001). A short pretreatment with combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing E₂V/DNG seems to have a favorable impact on endometrium which in turn may result in an improvement of the overall outcomes of OOH.     

Pronuclear embryo cryopreservation experience: outcomes for reducing the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and for fertility preservation in cancer patients

Purpose  

To evaluate pregnancy rate (PR) and live birth rate (LBR) after freezing pronuclear (PN) embryos for two purposes: to reduce the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and to bank embryos for cancer patients anticipating gametotoxic chemotherapy/radiotherapy.