FALLOPIAN TUBE RECANALISATION (FTR)
What is FTR:
- Fallopian tube recanalization (FTR) is a nonsurgical procedure to clear blockages in the fallopian tubes (part of a woman’s reproductive system).
Why it is necessary:
- Approximately 25% of women with infertility have some degree of tubal blockage .A common cause of blockage of the fallopian tube is result of debris that has built up.
- Occasionally, scarring from surgery or serious infection can lead to a blockage as well.
- Fallopian tube recanalization (FTR) is a minimally invasive procedure done by interventional radiologists use to treat these blockages. Recanalization is the medical term for “reopening.”
How it performed:
During the procedure, not require any needles or incisions:
- Place a speculum into the vagina and pass a small plastic tube (catheter) through the cervix into the uterus.
- Inject a liquid contrast agent through the catheter.
- Obtain a hystero-salpingogram or HSG. Literally, that means a “uterus-and-fallopian-tube-picture.”
- Determine if there is a blockage and if it is located on one or both fallopian tubes.
- Thread a smaller catheter through the first catheter and then into the fallopian tube to clear the blockage.
- More than 95 percent of the time, blockage of fallopian tube is removed.
What are benefits:
- One-year pregnancy rate following FTR is approximately 41%, with successful delivery of full-term infants in 84% of pregnancies.
Preparation for procedure:
- Few basic blood investigations like CBC, PT/INR, viral markers.
- Bring all the records including imaging record.
- Signing consent form.
What are risks:
- Pain, bleeding, infection (<1 case in 1000).
