Factors affecting the success of fallopian tube recanalization in treatment of tubal obstructive infertility

OBJECTIVE: To examine potential risk factors associated with the success rate following fallopian tube recanalization (FTR) in infertile women with obstruction of the proximal fallopian tube. METHODS: We retrospectively studied patients who underwent FTR for tubal obstructive infertility between January 2016 and December 2018 at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. FTR was performed using a catheter and guidewire system to clear tubal obstruction. Predictive factors potentially associated with the success rate were assessed by logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 762 patients were included. Multivariable analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR] = 2.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24–4.58), infertility type (OR = 2.82, 95% CI: 1.36–6.21), history of ectopic pregnancy (OR = 7.87, 95% CI: 4.05–15.81), history of abdominal surgery (OR = 4.30, 95% CI: 2.22–8.60), history of artificial abortion curettage (OR = 4.08, 95% CI: 2.12–8.03), and duration of infertility (OR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.06–3.85) were independently associated with postoperative tubal patency. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that risk factors, such as age ≥35 years, secondary infertility, duration of infertility ≥5 years, and histories of ectopic pregnancy, abdominal surgery, and artificial abortion curettage, affect the success rate of FTR. These factors may also predict surgical success in treating tubal obstructive infertility.