It is a simple procedure carried out during a laparoscopy and involves passing a narrow metal cannula through your cervix (neck of the womb) and injecting a small amount of dye into the uterine cavity. Under gentle pressure the dye is encouraged to flow up into your fallopian tubes.

By observing the progress of the dye with the laparoscope (telescope) which is inserted through your abdomen, the gynaecologist will be able to see if the dye spills easily through both fallopian tubes or if there is tubal damage.

You may notice some blue vaginal staining (from the dye) for a few days afterwards but this is normal and nothing to worry about.

Will my fallopian tubes be repaired if they are damaged?

No. Laparoscopy and hydrotubation is a minor procedure carried out for investigation purposes, rather than for treatment. It is well recognised that tubal surgery has a very poor success rate when compared to in vitro fertilisation (IVF), which is the recommended treatment for tubal damage.

Some minor surgical techniques can be carried out during a laparoscopy to try and help improve fertility if abnormalities are found.  Examples of these are:

• Cautery – the application of heat using a fine probe, which can destroy small patches of endometriosis.
• Division of adhesions – dividing or separating any adhesions or scar tissue present that may affect the function of the tubes.
• Ovarian diathermy – sometimes called ovarian drilling – this may help restore spontaneous ovulation if you have a condition called polycystic ovaries and ovulate infrequently.
• Tubal clipping – this may be discussed with you if we feel there is a high chance that your tubes may be damaged, as suggested by your initial scan in the clinic. Damaged tubes which are blocked at the end can sometimes be dilated and filled with fluid. This is called a hydrosalpinx and can reduce the likely success rate for IVF treatment. If you have a hydrosalpinx, your gynaecologist may recommend applying a small clip to the narrow part of the fallopian tube that lies close to the uterus.  This permanently closes off the damaged tube to improve the likely success rate of IVF treatment and reduce the risk of an ectopic pregnancy.

What happens after my operation?

Before you are discharged home, the Fertility Nurse Specialist or Consultant will see you in the Ambulatory Care Ward to discuss the findings of the laparoscopy and any future treatment options or recommendations that may help you conceive.