Fallopian Tube Recanalization

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What is Fallopian Tube Recanalization?

A common cause of female infertility is blockage of the Fallopian tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus. These tubes normally carry eggs from the ovaries to a location where they can meet with sperm and become fertilized, but if the Fallopian tubes have become blocked or narrowed this can prevent pregnancy. Causes of this blockage range from an accumulation of mucus or debris to scar tissue left by pelvic inflammatory disease to damage caused by STDs.

Whatever the cause of the blockage, Fallopian Tube Recanalization is a non-surgical, minimally-invasive procedure performed by interventional radiologists that can successfully treat and open blocked Fallopian tubes. In the procedure, a tiny catheter is introduced into the uterus and a contrast agent (dye) is injected so that X-ray images can pinpoint the blockages. When they are located, a second catheter is threaded into the Fallopian tube to open the blockage.


Trouble with pregnancy?

The procedure is most often performed between day six and day eleven of the menstrual cycle, after menses and before ovulation. It is a minimally-invasive procedure that can be performed in an outpatient setting and requires no incisions, although mild sedation is often provided to help the patient feel more comfortable.

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What to Expect

A speculum is inserted into the vagina to allow doctors access to the cervix, and then a catheter is passed through the cervix into the Fallopian tubes. If the Fallopian tube is found to be blocked, a small guidewire is advanced through the tube to open it up. The procedure takes about 30 minutes, but the doctors often have the patient remain in the recovery area for 2 to 4 hours prior to going home.


Results

Complications from Fallopian tube recanalization are extremely rare, and pregnancy rates following the procedure are approximately 33%, as long as the unblocked tubes are found to be normal and there are no indications of tubal diseases.

A Few Of Our Cases

Image A
This is an initial image from the start of the procedure. The catheter has been placed into the uterus and a small balloon is inflated in the endometrial canal. Contrast is injected and there is free flow of contrast into the right fallopian tube (left side of the image) but no flow of contrast is seen in the left fallopian tube. This portion of the procedure is just how an hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is performed.
Image B
In this image later in the procedure after small wires and catheters were used to open the left fallopian tube (right side of the image). Demonstrated on this image is the contrast filling both fallopian tubes and demonstrating free flow of contrast into the pelvis from both open fallopian tubes.

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About MTV IR

MTV IR is a leading interventional radiologist in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. With decades of experience Dr. Travis Van Meter has developed one of the most advanced IR clinics in Texas with leading edge technology. Specializing in Women’s Health, Men’s Health, and Liver Cancer Therapies, you can feel safe with the most trusted and knowledgeable physicians in DFW.

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