Hysterosalpingography -- a Malaysian experience
Arumugam, K.; Ng Kwee Boon
Malaysian Journal of Reproductive Health a Publication of the Reproductive Research Centre of the National Population and Family Development Board Malaysia 5(2): 85-88
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0127-3213 PMID: 12315186 Document Number: 358162
A prospective analysis was made of the 85 hysterosalpingographies performed at the University Hospital in Kuala Lumpur in a 1-year period in 1985-86. 51 of these procedures were performed through use of the Leech-Wilkinson cannula method; the Foley catheter technique was used in the remaining 34 cases. Secondary infertility was the most common indication for the hysterosalpingography. Comparable results were obtained with both methods in terms of visualization of the uterine cavity and tubal morphology. The Foley catheter technique was superior in the assessment of the cervical canal and the diagnosis of cervical incompetence. Complications recorded in this series included pain, significant bleeding from cervical trauma, and extravasation of dye into the pelvic veins; however, the majority of these complications involved the Leech-Wilkinson cannula technique. These complications caused the procedure to fail or be abandoned in 10 (20%) of the women in the Leech-Wilkinson method group and in 2 (6%) of subjects in the Foley catheter group. There were 2 cases of pelvic sepsis in this series, underscoring the risk of introducing pelvic infection associated with hysterosalpingography. Overall, however, these results indicate that hysterosalpingography has a role to play in the assessment of the functional and mechanical impairment of the fallopian tubes and the uterus.