What is fertility surgery for?
Fertility surgery is about using various surgical techniques to:
- Help patients conceive on their own.
- Improve their chances of success when undergoing Assisted Reproductive Techniques such as In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
- Minimise the risks to the baby in pregnancy.
It frequently combines the use of laparoscopy and hysteroscopy to effectively treat the underlying conditions.
Examples of fertility surgeries
Fallopian tube removal – hydrosalpinx (fluid-filled tube)
A blocked tube that is filled with fluid is known as hydrosalpinx. Patients with hydrosalpinges are associated with poorer in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) outcomes, possibly because of leakage of fluid into the uterine cavity. Hence, undergoing laparoscopic salpingectomy, which is the surgical removal of the diseased tubes prior to IVF can effectively increase implantation and pregnancy rates.
- Laparoscopic salpingectomy performed on a hydrosalpinx.
- Meticulous surgical techniques are employed to preserve the vascular blood supply to the ovary (blood vessel to the tube shown by the red arrow)
Fallopian tube repair & restoration – hydrosalpinx
In some instances, patients with blocked fallopian tubes may opt to undergo a fallopian tube repair. The aim is to re-establish patency in the tubes and improve spontaneous conception chances.
- Laparoscopic neosalpingostomy to re-establish patency in the tubes.
Re-anastomose a previously ligated fallopian tube
A previously ligated fallopian tube can be repaired in a procedure called ‘tubal ligation reversal’. Blocked segments of the fallopian tubes are reconnected and a patency test is conducted to confirm patency.
Study title: Laparoscopic Tubal Re-anastomosis or In Vitro Fertilisation in Previously Ligated Patients.
- Laparoscopic tubal reversal to reconnect a previously ligated tube.
For other surgeries to correct uterine abnormalities, please find them here.
