Fallopian tube recanalization by selective salpingography: an alternative to more invasive techniques?

Selective salpingography was used in a total of 64 patients, engaged in evaluation for infertility and in whom standard hysterograms showed no tubal passage of contrast medium. Fallopian tube catheterization was successful in 92% of the cases; a peritoneal spill of contrast medium was obtained in 74% of the cases by manual injection. Recanalization of an obstructed oviduct was successful in 61% of the cases. Thus, after the procedure, 82% of the patients had at least one patent tube. We conclude that selective tubal catheterization, and recanalization when needed, should be included in the therapeutic procedures for tubal infertility, prior to in-vitro fertilization or tubal microsurgery.