Objective: To evaluate and compare the clinical impact of proximal tubal occlusion and salpingectomy when performed before IVF in patients with hydrosalpinges.
Design: Prospective randomized study.
Setting: Assisted reproduction unit in an obstetrics and gynecology department in a university hospital in Greece as well as assisted reproduction unit in an urban clinic in a major city in Greece.
Patient(s): One hundred fifteen patients with unilateral or bilateral hydrosalpinges who were candidates for IVF treatment.
Intervention(s): Laparoscopic proximal tubal occlusion, laparoscopic salpingectomy, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, IVF, and embryo transfer.
Main outcome measure(s): Implantation rate, clinical-pregnancy rate, ongoing-pregnancy rate, abortion rate, and ectopic-pregnancy rate.
Result(s): Patients who underwent proximal tubal occlusion before IVF demonstrated significantly increased implantation, clinical-pregnancy, and ongoing-pregnancy rates compared with those with no surgical intervention and demonstrated implantation, clinical-pregnancy, and ongoing-pregnancy rates comparable to those who underwent salpingectomy.
Conclusion(s): Proximal tubal occlusion, when performed in women with unilateral or bilateral hydrosalpinges before their IVF treatment, represents a potentially beneficial surgical procedure, increasing significantly the chances for successful implantation and for clinical and ongoing pregnancy. Proximal tubal occlusion may be viewed as a valid alternative when salpingectomy is technically difficult or not feasible.