Dr Dimple Doshi

Dr Dimple Doshi

Hysteroscopic tubal cannulation surgery

Hysteroscopic tubal cannulation surgery is a procedure used when you have trouble getting pregnant because your fallopian tubes are blocked.

Fallopian tube problems account for about 25 to 30% of cases of infertility and out of this, about 10 to 15 % are having proximal tubal blockage or corneal block.

Cornute are the parts of the uterus where the fallopian tubes join on each side. Sometimes there is a block there; called the corneal block off the fallopian tube. The corneal block can prevent the entry of the sperm inside the fallopian tubes leading to infertility.

 The corneal block of the fallopian tube can be corrected by hysteroscopic tubal cannulation. This leads to the opening up of the blocked fallopian tubes and results in a successful pregnancy.

Hysteroscopic tubal cannulation is done to open up the blocks at the corneal ends. It is done under hysteroscopic guidance; where a thin guide wire is introduced inside the cornual end and the block is opened

The only indication of hysteroscopic cannulation is infertility
  1. You will be asked to carry all your investigation reports which include your complete blood count; liver, thyroid; kidney function tests and other preoperative tests, and the x-ray chest.
  2. You will be asked to stop the medications like estrogen-containing medicines a month prior to surgery and also blood thinners like aspirin at least a week prior to surgery. At the same time you will be asked to continue your thyroid; blood pressure and diabetes medications.
  3. You will be asked to report any signs of illness in case you have it prior to surgery.
  • This procedure is done under general anesthesia in the operating room.
  • The uterus is distended with normal saline.
  • After completely visualising the uterine cavity; Hysteroscope which is  connected to a high definition  camera and monitor is introduced inside the uterus and both sided tubal openings are located. A fine wire is passed through the hysteroscope and negotiated through the openings to remove the cornual block.. This guide wire is as thin as hair and it cannulates the fallopian tube to remove the blockage caused by mucous plugs, debris or tissues blocking the opening.
  • Simultaneous laparoscopy is needed to see the distal end of the fallopian tubes inside the uterus and the patency is assessed by pushing a blue dye from below.
You will be in the recovery room for 2 hrs after you wake up from anesthesia. You may feel sleepy for the next few hours after which you will be shifted to your room.You may have some discomfort in the area or you may feel tired for a few days after the procedure but with each passing hour, you feel better.Contact your doctor immediately if the pain does not go away or if it is associated with nausea and vomiting or any other problems.

You will be asked to start taking clear liquids 1 hr after the surgery followed by a light diet. You may be asked to walk around after you are out of the sedation.

Once your doctor is sure that you can walk without any giddiness due to anesthesia medicines; you will be discharged.

As with any surgical procedure, there are associated risks and complications which include:

  1. Problems of anesthesia
  2. Injury to internal organs
  3. Bleeding and infection

Any specific risks and complications will be discussed with you prior to the procedure.

Q: IS TUBAL CANNULATION PAINFUL?

A: Tubal cannulation is done under general anesthesia. So you do not feel pain when it is being done.

Q: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECOVER FROM TUBAL CANNULATION?

A: You can be discharged the same day after tubal cannulation.   And you can resume your daily activities from the same or the next day..

Q: WHERE IS FALLOPIAN TUBE LOCATED?

A: Fallopian tubes are located inside the pelvis and they are connected to the uterus at both tend; also called cornual ends.

Q: WHAT TO DO AFTER TUBAL CANNULATION?

A: You can start planning a pregnancy the next month after tubal cannulation.

Q: HOW IS TUBAL PATENCY DONE?

A: Tubal patency is done by either HSG or laparoscopic dye testing in which methylene blue is injected through the cervix and patency is confirmed as seen by the free flow of dye.

Q: WHAT DOES TUBAL CANNULATION DO ?

A: Tubal cannulation is done to open the block at the cornual end of the fallopian tube. So after successful tubal cannulation; you can get pregnant easily.

Q: WHAT IS THE COST OF TUBAL CANNULATION?

A: Tubal cannulation cost ranges from 35000 to 60000.