Tubal Infertility : Decision making on tubal reconstructive surgery versus in-vitro fertilization

Abstract

Tubal factor is a common cause of infertility. This condition includes patient with bilateral tubal occlusion and peritubal adhesion which interfere the process of ovum pick up and transport. The prevalence of tubal factor infertility varies widely among countries. Developing countries have higher rates of tubal infertility than those in the developed ones. As high as 40% prevalence rate of tubal infertility has been reported in some developing countries compared to about 10% in the developing world.(1) At Ramathibodi Hospital the prevalence of tubal infertility is about 30%. There is an increasing trend of this problem, mostly due to the spread of pelvic infection. Even in the developing country such as the United States the increasing incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease and other sexually transmitted disease has led to a rise in tubal factor infertility.(2)