FALLOPOSCOPY - INITIAL EXPERIENCE IN THE MICROENDOSCOPIC DIAGNOSIS OFTUBULAR DISEASE

To date, investigators have relied on hysterosalpingography, hysterosa lpingoscintigraphy, and laparoscopic chromopertubation for the diagnos is of tubal disease causing infertility. With the development of the ' 'linear everting catheter'' system it may now be possible to evaluate the tubal lumen and to diagnose changes in the tubal wall or the tubal mucosa by direct visualization This paper describes our initial clini cal experience with 14 women who underwent evaluation for infertility. The new catheter system allowed both inspection of the tubal ostium w ithout cervical dilation or concomitant hysteroscopy and virtually atr aumatic access to the tube by means of an endoscope measuring half a m illimeter in diameter and a magnification of 40. Given adequate experi ence with this technique it may also be performed in an outpatient set ting. Ultimately, tuboscopy may come to play a major part in the diagn osis of sterility. Other potential applications of this new technology are the tubal transfer of embryos, intratubal insemination and the co nservative treatment of tubal pregnancy.