Fluid in Fallopian tubes – what is the way out

00:01 - Title 00:59 - What is hydrosalpinx? 01:19 - Problems caused by hydrosalpinx 02:54 - Function of fallopian tubes 04:23 - Why tubal surgery / clipping needed before IVF? 05:13 - Treatment of hydrosalpinx 06:02 - Clinic details Fluid in Fallopian tubes – what is the way out • Hydrosalpinx is a very common term in infertility treatment, used by Gynaecologists • Damage or blockage of end portion of tube can cause it to become filled with fluid, the swollen and fluid filled tube is called hydrosalpinx • Previous infection, previous surgery or other factors can cause hydrosalpinx by damaging the tube • The infectious fluid not only cause tubal dysfunction but also hinders implantation • In case of IVF also, this fluid can backflow to uterus and can wash out the embryo implanted in the uterus, or may be toxic to embryos • There is no option available to rectify this problem other than tubal clipping or cutting the tube by laparoscopic surgery to prevent the backflow of fluid • IVF treatment is costly and therefore, fertility experts always want to optimise all other factors to fetch maximum success rate Many a time in recent days your Gynaecologist or Fertility specialist tells that “You have hydrosalpinx and IVF is the best possible way to get pregnancy, but you need to undergo tubal surgery before proceeding for IVF.” This discussion put the couple in dilemma. Fluid in fallopian tubes or hydrosalpinx are very common terms used by Gynaecologists in recent days. Today, we would discuss that what is hydrosalpinx and why it is required to be addressed before you have embryo transfer? What is hydrosalpinx? Sometimes due to some previous infection or other reasons your fallopian tubes get damaged and blocked in the distal part. The secretion which occurs naturally within the tubal lumen, gets accumulated and gradually makes the tube swollen. This is known as hydrosalpinx. How hydrosalpinx affects implantation and thus prevents pregnancy? The infectious fluid not only hampers tubal function, but also affects the uterus. So, if one of the tubes is patent and conception occurs, then the infectious fluid from other tube will disturb the endometrial cavity and pregnancy can be disturbed. In case of IVF also the fluid can wash out the embryo implanted in the uterus or it can adversely affect endometrium and hinders implantation. Treatment of hydrosalpinx: In case of hydrosalpinx your consultant would definitely suggest you a tubal surgery before embryo transfer. There is no option available to rectify this problem other than tubal clipping or tubal surgery by laparoscopy. Now, often you can wonder, why the tubal surgery is needed for hydrosalpinx, when you are bypassing tube by doing IVF. As I have discussed earlier that fallopian tube is the place where, egg and sperm unite. But in case of hydrosalpinx this process fails to succeed and therefore, embryo formation outside the body through IVF treatment is needed. Also, the infectious fluid backflows to uterus and can wash out the embryo waiting to be implanted. IVF treatment is costly and therefore, fertility experts always want to optimise all other factors to fetch maximum success rate. And it has been found that if tubal clipping or tubal surgery can be done before embryo transfer, IVF success rate get doubled. Dr Sutapa Sen, Consultant Gynaecologist & Infertility Specialist • MBBS, MD (Gynea & Obs) • Director, Prapti Fertility Institute, Kolkata • Consultant Gynecologist, Laparoscopic Surgeon and IVF Specialist • Received Advance ART and IVF training from Dr. Purnima Nadkarni, Pardi, Gujrat and Keil University Germany • Received Advance Ultrasound training from Dr. A. Badade Chikitsa Institute Chembur, Mumbai • Received Advance Laparoscopy training from Dr. P.Das Mahapatra, Spectrum, Kolkata • Received Advance training in Hysteroscopy from Dr. Osama Shawki Egypt Prapti Fertility Institute Pvt Ltd 129/1, B. B. Ganguly Street. Kolkata- 12 8436036000 / 9874346006 ( Mon to Sat) Apollo Clinic 66(92) Barasat Road, Near Wireless Gate, Rabindrapally Barrackpore, Kolkata- 122 9874346006 (Wed, Sat) Nehru Memorial Techno Global Hospital 6, Barrackpore Barasat Rd, Near Lalkuthi Barrackpore, West Bengal 743122 9874346006 (Wed, Sat) Day and Night Polyclinic Feeder Rd, Santigarh, Shyamnagar, Near 2nd gate of Annapurna Cotton Mill Kolkata, WB 743127 9330977469, 8584922518, 8981233052 K P C Diagnostic Centre A-B/6 JNM Hospital Rd, Kalyani, Nadia West Bengal 741235 9874746906 Health Care Diagnostic 55, Netaji Subhash Rd, Shyambazar, Santipur, West Bengal 741404 9836914126 / 9874746906 Thursday (once in a month) The Arogya Diagnostic & Polyclinic 168, RC Das Road, Kalitala, Purba Burdwan, West Bengal 713101 9874746906 Thursday (once in a month) Manabik Mukh Park Road, OppMc William High School, Alipurduar 736121 9733118854 / 9733118864 North Bengal Medicals R.N Roada Near CPI(M) Party Office, Chowpathi, Cooch Behar 70001263203 / 9832055899 / 7384202505