Fallopian tube recanalisation by selective salpingography (unblocking of the fallopian tubes)

Fallopian tube recanalisation is a fertility procedure. This procedure tries to unblock your fallopian tubes using a catheter and a guidewire (a flexible tube and wire used to unblock the tubes by trying to pass it through the area of blockage). 

This procedure is carried out under fluoroscopic guidance. This is a type of X-ray imaging that shows a continuous live X-ray image on a screen.

Your fallopian tubes carry the egg from your ovaries to your uterus (womb). Sometimes if these become blocked it reduces the chance of achieving successful conception (when sperm and an egg join together). 

The aim of this procedure is to open up these blockages and allow the egg to travel to the right place to be fertilised. The procedure is successful in 7 to 10 out of every 10 procedures done.

• There is a small risk of infection but you will receive antibiotics on the day of your procedure once you arrive on the ward.
• There is a small risk of fallopian tube perforation (a hole in your fallopian tube) but this does not have any long term effects and will heal (4 in 100)
• There is a small risk of having an ectopic pregnancy in the future (which could be due to blocked fallopian tubes).
• There is also the chance that we may not be able to open either one or both fallopian tubes. 

Your referring doctor should have already have explained the risks to you, if they have not please contact them as these will need to be discussed with you before the procedure can take place.

The radiology nurse will also advise you on what to do should you experience post procedure complications such as pain, fever or bleeding.

Balloon tuboplasty

this involves inflating a small balloon within the fallopian tube. Tubal obstruction may also be treated surgically.

A laproscopy and dye test 

A narrow instrument with a camera on it is put inside the abdomen (stomach), which allows the doctor to see what happens when the dye is injected into the fallopian tubes. If the tubes are blocked the dye will not be able to pass through the ends.

In vitro fertilisation (IVF)

IVF is an assisted reproductive technology that skips the fallopian tubes entirely and for this reason helps treat patients with blocked fallopian tubes. 

You can eat and drink as normal for this procedure and take your normal medications.

You will need to have this procedure as an inpatient in the hospital. If you are not already an inpatient, you will receive details to be admitted into hospital from your referring doctor. 

Please bring an overnight bag with you in case you need to stay the night.

Once you are admitted onto a ward you will receive intravenous antibiotics through a cannula (thin tube) into your vein. These antibiotics reduce the risk of you getting an infection. You will be asked to change into an examination gown.

You will be taken to radiology from the ward on your bed.

Your identification and allergy details will be checked by a radiology nurse and a radiographer.

To have this procedure you will need to do a urine pregnancy test at the hospital. The radiology nurse will discuss this in more detail with you.

The radiologist will explain the procedure to you including the benefits, risks and alternatives. If you choose to have the procedure you will be asked to sign a consent form and a copy of this will be given to you. 

The radiology nurse will monitor your clinical observations (oxygen levels, breathing rate, heart rate, blood pressure and temperature) and support you throughout the procedure. You can also ask for pain relief and sedation (something that makes you drowsy) during this time. Please note, if you choose to have sedation then you may have to stay in hospital a little longer. 

You may feel some discomfort in your pelvis, this discomfort can be similar to period pains or discomfort from a cervical screening test. 

Usually, the procedure itself will last around 30 minutes.

Once you return to the ward the ward nurse will continue to monitor your clinical observations regularly and ensure that there are no complications after your procedure.

You may start trying to conceive (trying for a baby) the day after your procedure.

You will normally be allowed to go home on the same day if you feel well enough, please arrange to have someone to take you home if you can. 

The results will be sent to your hospital doctor who will discuss them with you at your next clinic appointment.

Radiology 
B level main corridor
For general enquires about your appointment telephone 01709 423132

For enquiries about preparation for your examination, or to speak to a radiology nurse, telephone 01709 427086.

You may reach an answering machine. Please leave your contact number, and the nurse will phone you back between the hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays.