Comparison of ampullary assessment by falloposcopy and salpingoscopy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast falloposcopic and salpingoscopic ampullary assessments in a series of 20 women undergoing tubal microsurgery for distal tubal or peritubal disease. Four women had an extrinsic cause for their peritubal adhesions, and would have been expected to exhibit a normal oviductal canal. All of the falloposcopic examinations were performed as an outpatient procedure. Salpingoscopic examinations were undertaken at the time of microsurgery. The endoscopic examinations were undertaken by two clinicians, who were blinded to each other's assessments and to the indication for surgery. Of the 31 Fallopian tubes which were examined, 24 were found to be abnormal by salpingoscopy and 23 were found to be abnormal by falloposcopy. Total score and scores for epithelial appearance, vascularity, intraluminal adhesions and dilatation were found to be significantly associated. Furthermore, falloposcopy predicted salpingoscopic status correctly in 84% of cases. These data suggest that falloposcopy is a useful method of assessing ampullary condition.