Background: Fallopian tube obstruction is believed to play a role in 12-33% of subfertile couples. Therefore, the patency evaluation of fallopian tubes is a significant part of subfertile couple's work.
Objective: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of the hysteroscopic assessment of tubal patency by the bubble test to diagnostic laparoscopy and hysterosalpingogram in infertile patients.
Subjects and Methods: A total of 100 women were recruited to the study during the period between January 2020 and June 2020. 100 patients underwent a diagnostic hysteroscopy followed by laparoscopy. Each Fallopian tube has been considered to be an individual case. Patency was evaluated in 200 Fallopian tubes.
Results: A polyp was detected at three tubal orifice. Hyperemia was detected around two tubal orifice. Adhesions were detected at one tubal orifice. The tubes were patent in 113 cases with both methods. In 70 cases both laparoscopy and hysteroscopy found occluded tubes. The tubes were patent by laparoscopic dye in 10 cases, but could not be detected by hysteroscopy as such. Occlusion was observed by laparoscopy in 7 cases but patency was detected during hysteroscopy. Of the non-patent cases, 70 out of 77 laparoscopic findings were consistent with the hysteroscopic result, yielding a specificity estimate of 90.9% (95% CI 84.5% to 96.4%).
Conclusion: Based on statistical analysis (sensitivity and specificity) of our data, diagnostic hysteroscopic bubble test is accurate and reliable compared to the laparoscopic test, which is considered a global standard criterion.