Infertility Surgery Treatments
Many cases of infertility can be treated with surgical options. In fact, infertility surgical treatments are a better alternative in cases of unexplained infertility. There are a few surgical alternatives for infertility problems.
Laparoscopy
This infertility surgical treatment option treats conditions that contribute to fertility problems. The minimally invasive procedure is usually performed in an outpatient setting. Laparoscopy involves making an incision around the navel and inserting a narrow fiber optic telescope through it. The procedure can be useful in treating infertility in women with a history of ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, or those who have had pelvic surgery. If the doctor diagnoses adhesions or endometriosis during diagnostic laparoscopy, a laparoscopic procedure can be performed for improving fertility.
However, in older women, diagnostic laparoscopy can be avoided. It is not recommended for women with multiple infertility factors. Such women can better be treated with other infertility treatment options, such as in vitro fertilization.
There are following types of laparoscopic procedures:
- Tuboplasty is a procedure performed to repair defective fallopian tubes
- Ovarian cystectomy is the surgical removal of cysts from the ovary
Chromopertubation
In infertile women, laparoscopy may be performed for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. In such women, chromopertubation can be performed to assess tubal patency. Chromopertubation involves the instillation of methylene blue dye using a transcervical cannula through fallopian tubes. If the dye spills from each tube, it is reported to be a confirmation of tubal patency.
Surgical procedure involving removal of patches of endometriosis can raise the chances for pregnancy. For women suffering from endometriosis, infertility surgical treatment may involve:
- Lysis is a procedure that removes adhesions
- Myomectomy procedure involves removal of fibroids or polyps that can affect fertility
Hysteroscopy
The procedure involves insertion of a narrow fiber optic telescope through the cervix into the uterus. Through the outpatient procedure, the fertility doctor will look for adhesions inside your uterus and remove the same through
- Myomectomy
- Lysis
- Microsurgical tubal reanastomosis is a procedure done to reverse a tubal ligation. The procedure involves reconnecting the ends of the fallopian tubes.
- Salpingostomy involves unblocking the fallopian tube. In some women, the fallopian tubes may be blocked by a fluid buildup. The doctor creates a new opening in the side of the tube closest to the ovary.
- Salpingectomy involves removal of a part of fallopian tube where there is fluid buildup.
- Fimbrioplasty is a procedure that involves rebuilding the fringed ends of the tube when some of it is partially blocked. The procedure may be performed in cases where there is a scar tissue in one end of the fallopian tubes.
Microsurgery Options
If infertility is due to a disease of the fallopian tubes, the doctor may advise infertility surgery treatment to remove blockages or repair the tubes. However, these surgeries that involve fallopian tubes may raise the risk of ectopic or tubal pregnancy.