A hospital based study on comparative assessment of sonosalpingography (SSG) and diagnostic laparoscopy for determination of tubal patency in cases of primary and secondary subfertility

Abstract

Background: Subfertility is defined as one year of unprotected intercourse without conception. This study evaluates the efficacy of sonosalpingography (SSG) as an alternative to Diagnostic laparoscopy (D’Lap) in assessment of tubal patency in patients with primary/secondary subfertility. Objective: To find out whether Sonosalpingography, which is a less invasive method, can be used for assessment of tubal factor in cases of primary and secondary subfertility initially instead of Diagnostic laparoscopy with chromopertubation. Methods and Materials: The study is conducted in the Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Govt. KMCH among women with primary/secondary subfertility attending Gynaec OP. SSG is done on 7th or 8th day of the menstrual cycle. Diagnostic laparoscopy with chromopertubation was performed under general anesthesia on the following day to evaluate pelvic pathology and tubal patency. Results: Of the 23 tubal blocks detected by SSG, 14 were primary and 9 were secondary subfertility cases. Of the actual 20 tubal blocks detected by D’Lap, 12 were primary and 8 were secondary subfertility cases. It was found that SSG has a sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 90% and a diagnostic accuracy of 96%. Conclusion: SSG offers a much less invasive method of diagnosing tubal pathology while maintaining a high sensitivity and specificity similar to that of laparoscopic chromopertubation.