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.
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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).