What is Fallopian Tube Recanalization?
One in 7 couples have problems with fertility. The most common cause is blocked fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes allow sperm to reach the egg and carry the fertilized egg from the ovary to the uterus. This does not happen when the fallopian tubes are blocked by mucus or scarring.
Fallopian tube recanalization is a minimally invasive procedure to re-open the blocked tubes. The procedure successfully opens the tubes in 8-9 in 10 women. Half of those women will go on to conceive a child.
How is Fallopian Tube Recanalization done?
Some women can experience intense cramping during the procedure, so your clinician may offer you medicine to make you more comfortable.
The clinician will place a speculum in the vagina, just like having a Pap smear. They will thread a very small tube through the vagina and into the uterus. They will inject some dye through the catheter to see the uterus and the fallopian tubes with low-dose X-rays.
If a fallopian tube is blocked, the clinician will move the tube to the blocked tube then pass a small wire to clear the blockage. The whole procedure usually takes 15-30 minutes.
Fallopian Tube Recanalization
1. The clinician places a speculum in the vagina
2. They pass a thin tube into the uterus and inject dye through it
3. If they find a blocked fallopian tube, they open it with a small wire
What are the risks?
Fallopian tube recanalization is generally a safe procedure when done by a specialist
3-4 in 10 people experience pain or lightheadedness during the procedure.
1 in 100 people develop pelvic inflammation or infection.
There have also been very rare reports of the wire damaging the uterus or tube, but this did not cause long-term problems.
Since x-rays are used for the procedure, there is a possible risk of radiation damaging the ovaries. This risk is very low because the amount of radiation is very small.
What are the alternatives?
Your alternatives depend upon your preferences, the location and cause of the blockage, and your other health conditions. Your OB/Gyn or reproductive specialist can help you explore your options.
Alternative 1 Surgery to re-open the tubes. This can work for certain locations and causes of blockage. It results in pregnancy less often than assisted reproductive technologies like IVF but can lead to multiple pregnancies without repeat procedures.
Alternative 2 Assisted Reproductive Technologies such as in vitro fertilization (“IVF”) can help you get pregnant without re-opening the fallopian tubes. There are many different types with different risks and benefits.