The prognostic value of salpingoscopy

Abstract

Salpingoscopy enables the visual inspection of the ampullary mucosa during either laparotomy or laparoscopy. This prospective study correlates the salpingoscopic results with the postoperative pregnancy rates and evaluates the value of salpingoscopy against already existing classification systems. A total of 226 women diagnosed as having pelvic inflammatory disease were treated by microsurgery. There were no other causes of infertility in these patients. The collective was divided into patients with pure adhesive disease and those with supplementary distal tubal occlusion. Salpingoscopy was performed at the end of a microsurgical laparotomy. All laparotomies were performed between 1989 and 1992. The occurrence of pregnancy was checked after 42 months follow-up. A correlation between salpingoscopy and the American Fertility Society classification for each tube is discussed. The crude and cumulative intrauterine pregnancy rates are reported for the two patient groups.