Tubal Patency Assessment
A tubal patency assessment confirms whether the fallopian tubes connecting the ovaries to the uterus are open. Patency, or normal function, is determined by the use of a number of 'fill and spill' methods that will be discussed with the patient in detail by our consultant surgical gynaecologist.
There are three exploratory and reparatory procedures available:
- Hy Co Sy uses a water based solution to fill the uterus and fallopian tubes while the doctor uses ultrasound to observe and assess these areas and look for anything that causes subfertility. As the tubes fill, the fluid spills out close to the ovary and confirms the tubes are not blocked. This is an easy and painless office-gynaecology procedure that requires no anaesthesia.
- Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) follows similar logic to HyCoSy but uses X-Ray and contrast media to take a snap shot of the uterus and fallopian tubes.
- Laparoscopy under general anaesthetic passes a telescopic camera through a small incision near the belly button to visualise the fallopian tubes, uterus and inner organs of the pelvis. Dye is pushed up and out through the uterus and fallopian tubes to confirm tubal patency. If there are signs of any adhesions (scarring or knots tying up the fallopian tubes) or any endometriosis, the surgical gynaecologist can free up the tubes and burn away unwanted endometriosis thereby repairing damage that may cause subfertility.