Contents
Salpingoscopy – diagnosis of patency of the fallopian tubes. The study is carried out under anesthesia using a microscopic camera. Gynecologists recommend undergoing salpingoscopy with prolonged unsuccessful attempts to become pregnant. It is the tubal factor that is considered one of the most common causes of female infertility. What you need to know about the procedure, what are its indications / contraindications and how to properly prepare for the diagnosis?
General characteristics of the study area
The purpose of salpingoscopy is to assess the degree of patency of the fallopian or fallopian tubes. This is a paired tubular organ that connects the uterine cavity with the abdominal cavity. It carries out the transport of the egg and sperm, creating a favorable environment for fertilization, the development of the egg (which is already fertilized) and its advancement into the uterus.
How exactly does promotion happen? The inner layer of the uterine walls (endometrium) consists of a cylindrical epithelium and a plate of connective tissue. The mucous membrane is dotted with simple tubular glands, among which ciliated cylindrical cells are scattered. These cells are called “cilia”. When the egg leaves the ovary, the “cilia” pick it up and direct it inward. The process of releasing an egg is called ovulation. Ciliated cylindrical cells hold the egg in the fallopian tube for about 24 hours. If during this time the egg is fertilized by a sperm, it turns into a zygote, and, through the “cilia”, goes to the uterus. An unfertilized egg is also sent to the uterus, but not for the development of the fetus, but for the destruction and death of the cell.
If the egg cannot pass through the fallopian tubes or they are missing, then fertilization is impossible. Thus, female and male gametes are simply deprived of the opportunity to meet, merge and form an embryo. As a rule, obstruction of the fallopian tubes is the result of inflammatory and adhesive processes inside the organ (salpingitis). Also, obstruction can be the result of a woman being sterilized. The fallopian tubes are tied or cut to completely eliminate the possibility of fertilization. Another reason for obstruction is the surgical removal of the tube. It is necessary for ectopic pregnancy or severe purulent pathologies of the organ.
What you need to know about salpingitis?
Salpingitis is an inflammation of the fallopian tubes. The disease develops due to the spread of pathogenic microflora from the uterus / other organs of the female body through the blood. First of all, the disease covers the mucous membrane of the oviducts, and then gradually spreads to all layers of the organ. The result is a failure of muscle contractions, the formation of a speck, which is fraught with ectopic pregnancy or infertility. In especially severe cases, pus, mucus and serous fluid accumulate in the lumen of the fallopian tubes. This indicates serious circulatory problems. Salpingitis is characterized by a chronic course, in which the symptoms sometimes disappear, then again make themselves felt. Usually, the pathology covers not only the fallopian tubes, but the uterus and ovaries.
Purposes and contraindications of salpingoscopy
The technique helps to evaluate the functionality of the fallopian tubes. Salpingoscopy is performed with prolonged unsuccessful attempts to become pregnant and after reconstructive operations on the oviducts to track their condition. Also, the study helps to determine the likelihood of pregnancy in a natural way. Salpingoscopy is performed by a gynecologist surgeon in a hospital setting.
The procedure is performed under anesthesia, so the list of contraindications automatically increases. It includes:
- heart failure;
- acute infectious pathologies of the body;
- sepsis (general infection of the entire human body with pathogenic microbes through the blood);
- problems with blood coagulability;
- coma;
- excessive overweight;
- hernia.
Indications / contraindications for the study is always determined by the attending physician. Do not self-medicate, so as not to aggravate the condition of the body.
The specifics of salpingoscopy
Surgical manipulations are carried out only when other diagnostic methods turned out to be uninformative. A woman is required to pass a series of tests, including a blood test for clotting, allergy tests for anesthetics. Approximately 12 hours before the intervention, the patient must stop eating. This will help prevent nausea/vomiting during anesthesia. Immediately before the procedure, a woman is given a cleansing enema.
As soon as all the preparatory manipulations are completed, and the anesthesia has worked, the doctor makes a small hole in the patient’s abdominal wall. A salpingoscope with a microscopic camera is inserted through this hole. The doctor gently advances the instrument to the funnel of the fallopian tube. After entering the uterine cavity, an image of the internal space of the fallopian tubes is displayed on the screen. During the examination, the doctor constantly irrigates the uterus with saline to enhance visualization.
The specialist evaluates the folds of the mucous membrane, the presence / absence of adhesions, the norms and degree of patency of the fallopian tubes. Based on the study, a diagnosis is made, further diagnostics, a therapeutic course and the likelihood of pregnancy without medical intervention are prescribed.
Features of echosalpingoscopy
Echosalpingoscopy is a branch of salpingoscopy. What is the essence of the method? Saline is injected into the cervix through a thin catheter. Using ultrasound, a specialist evaluates the distribution of fluid through the pipes and makes a conclusion about their patency or obstruction. Diagnosis can be carried out on an outpatient basis without the use of anesthesia.
Before the procedure, the patient needs to drink a glass of plain water to increase the information content of the study. How is it interconnected? The echogenicity (the ability of tissue to absorb ultrasound) of saline and bladder contents is identical. If a woman drinks an additional amount of fluid before the study, it will be easier for the doctor to evaluate the final result.
Manipulations are carried out on the 7-10th day of the menstrual cycle. Previously, the patient must pass a smear for flora, a test for hepatitis B / C, syphilis and HIV. Echosalpingoscopy is contraindicated in acute inflammatory or exacerbated chronic diseases of the pelvic organs, bleeding, intolerance to galactose (a substance found in saline). If all indicators are normal, the doctor proceeds to the beginning of the diagnosis.
With normal patency of the fallopian tubes, the solution will move freely on both sides of the uterus. If the size of the uterus increases as the fluid is injected or the solution accumulates in the cavity of the oviducts, then the functionality of one of the departments is impaired. The specialist determines the localization of the problem, collects the necessary information, develops a therapeutic course or offers the patient alternative ways to get pregnant (for example, IVF).
Salpingoscopy is a method for examining the patency of the fallopian tubes. The study determines the possibility of natural fertilization of the egg. During the procedure, the patient is given anesthesia, so there is no need to fear pain or significant discomfort. The main thing is to trust your doctor, follow all his instructions and be healthy!