Correlation between the American Fertility Society classifications of adnexal adhesions and distal tubal occlusion, salpingoscopy, and reproductive outcome in tubal surgery

To compare the prognostic value of salpingoscopy with a current classification system of adnexal adhesions and distal tubal occlusion in patients with tubal infertility undergoing reconstructive tubal surgery.

Prospective clinical study.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Catholic University, a tertiary care University Center in Rome, Italy.

Fifty-five infertile patients with either adnexal adhesions (29 patients) or hydrosalpinx (26 patients) undergoing reconstructive tubal surgery.

Salpingoscopy performed concomitantly to salpingo-ovariolysis or salpingoneostomy at the time of either operative laparoscopy or laparotomy using microsurgical techniques.

Salpingoscopic findings were compared with a current classification system of adnexal adhesions and distal tubal occlusion. The patients were followed for a mean follow-up of 49 months; the pregnancy rates achieved were correlated with the salpingoscopic findings and the classification system used.

There was a significant correlation between the salpingoscopic grade and the occurrence of a term pregnancy for both the salpingo-ovariolysis and salpingoneostomy groups of patients. There was no significant correlation between the classification system used and the occurrence of a term pregnancy for both groups of patients.

Salpingoscopy plays an important role in selecting the patients who may benefit the most from reconstructive tubal surgery.