Surgery: Tuboplasty

Microsurgery encompasses any surgery that uses visual magnification to assist in the performance of a procedure. The two common forms of microsurgery used by the Duke Fertility Center are the microscope and magnification glasses known as "loops".

Magnification is commonly used in tuboplasy. The physicians in our division have extensive experience with microsurgical techniques.

Procedures involving the repair or reconstruction of the fallopian tubes are known as tuboplasty. This encompasses the most common technique of neosalpingostomy.

In a neosalpongostomy procedure a new opening is created in the end of a dilated and non-functional tube. This opening is then folded open and secured into place using very fine suture. This new opening now takes the place of the normal fimbriated end of the fallopian tube.

There is a risk of reocclusion of the tube, though most all tubes will remain open. Because of a history of damage to the fallopian tube, there is thought to be an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.

There is some evidence suggesting patients with hydrosalpinges, or dilated tubes filled with fluid, may have an improvement in their in vitro fertilization success rate following a neosalpingostomy. This comes from the thought that the fluid may reflux into the uterine cavity and decrease implantation rates.

There is a significant amount of debate about this subject in the current literature. For more information or consideration for this procedure please schedule an appointment with one of our physicians.