Yip JY, Kanneganti A, Binte Ahmad N, Lim MXK, Chew SLS, Huang Z. Optimizing intrauterine insemination and spontaneous conception in women with unilateral hydrosalpinx or tubal pathology: A systematic review and narrative synthesis.
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2023;
286:135-144. [PMID:
37267890 DOI:
10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.05.024]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Tubal surgery's role in infertile women with unilateral tubal pathology (e.g. hydrosalpinx, tubal occlusion) who desire spontaneous or intrauterine insemination (IUI) conception where in-vitro fertilisation is infeasible remains unclear.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a systematic review on fertility outcomes in women with unilateral tubal pathology desiring to conceive spontaneously or via IUI and to find guidance to support therapeutic tubal procedures to help these women conceive.
SEARCH STRATEGY
Using a protocol registered on PROSPERO (ID CRD42021248720), we searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library from inception until June 2022. Bibliographies were reviewed to identify other relevant articles.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two authors independently selected and extracted data. Disagreements were resolved by a third author. Studies presenting fertility outcome data in infertile women with unilateral tubal pathologies desiring spontaneous or IUI conception were included. Methodologic quality was assessed using a modified Newcastle Ottawa Scale for observational studies and the Institute of Health Economics Quality Appraisal Checklist for case series. Primary outcomes collated included cumulative pregnancy rate (CPR) and pregnancy rate per cycle (PR/cycle). Secondary outcomes such as ectopic pregnancy, birth outcomes, and pelvic inflammatory disease were collated. These were stratified by the types of unilateral tubal occlusion (UTO) i.e. hydrosalpinx, proximal tubal occlusion (PTO), or distal tubal occlusion (DTO) MAIN RESULTS: Two studies reported spontaneous or IUI pregnancies after treatment of unilateral hydrosalpinx with one reporting a pregnancy rate of 88% within 5.6 months on average. Thirteen studies compared IUI outcomes between women with UTO vs unexplained infertility and bilateral tubal patency (controls). Almost all were retrospective cohort studies and identified UTO by hysterosalpingography. In general, PTOs had no difference in PR/cycle and CPR compared to controls and significantly higher PR/cycle to DTOs. Women with DTOs had minimal incremental CPR benefit with each additional IUI cycle.
CONCLUSIONS
Therapeutic salpingectomy or tubal occlusion improve IUI or spontaneous conception in women with hydrosalpinx, although more prospective studies are needed. While significant study heterogeneity hampered assessment of fertility outcomes, overall, infertile women with PTOs had similar IUI pregnancy outcomes to those with bilateral tubal patency while DTOs had inferior PR/cycle. This review highlights significant deficiencies in the evidence guiding management for this group of patients.
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