Role of Endoscopic Surgery in Fertility
- To improve IVF success rate: After a transvaginal ultrasound, if your doctor detects tubal disease, ovarian abnormalities, uterine factors, and other pelvic abnormalities that can adversely affect an IVF cycle, then an endoscopy may be recommended to improve the success rate of IVF.
- To facilitate egg collection: If a transvaginal ultrasound has detected infected fallopian tubes that are filled with fluid, then the tubes would need to be disconnected from the uterus. The ovaries would need to be free and located normally to allow egg retrieval
- For breaking adhesions on ovaries: Ovaries can be adherent due to adhesions resulting from conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic infections, and previous surgeries. In these situations, laparoscopy can help in the breakdown of these adhesions and free the ovaries.
- Cyst Removal: If there are ovarian cysts, they need to be removed before starting IVF treatment.
- Fibroid Removal: If there are large fibroids in the uterus, measuring more than 4 cm, they would need to be removed especially if they are located within the cavity or near the lining of the womb.
Types of Endoscopic Surgery in Fertility
An endoscopy can be of two types which essentially include laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. A hysteroscopy can benefit every woman about to undergo IVF while laparoscopy is a selective procedure.
Benefits of Endoscopic Surgery in Fertility Treatment
An endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure which is diagnostic and operative in nature. In infertility treatment, a transvaginal ultrasound or an HSG Test may miss abnormalities such as adhesion, endometriosis, exact ovarian pathology, and tubal conditions which can be detected and treated with endoscopy. Therefore, hysteroscopy and laparoscopy are important treatments for infertility.
Need of Endoscopy in Fertility Treatments
A doctor will advise an endoscopy usually after performing a transvaginal ultrasound or an HSG test.
Some common reasons for an endoscopy may include the following:
- Pelvic infections
- History of pelvic surgery
- History of ectopic pregnancy
- Abnormal HSG Test or SIS Test results
- Repeated failure in Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic/adnexal adhesions
- Suspected uterine anomalies
- Intrauterine adhesions
- Submucous fibroid
- Intrauterine polyp
- Repeated implantation / IVF failures
A minimally invasive procedure, endoscopy has multiple benefits for those with adhesions, cysts, fibroids and other problems in their ovaries or uterus. It plays a major role in fertility treatments and helps a lot with female infertility.
