What Does
Chromopertubation Mean?
Chromopertubation is a procedure where dye is injected through the fallopian tubes to check for any blockages. It is done in combination with a surgical procedure called laparoscopy
Chromopertubation is regarded as a gold standard test to assess the patency of tubes. However, being an invasive procedure, it is considered as a last resort in the evaluation of female infertility and is usually carried out when results of another standard procedure called a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) have been inconsistent. HSG is a procedure in which a contrast dye is injected through a plastic tube into the uterus and fallopian tubes to examine their patency.
FertilitySmarts Explains Chromopertubation
Open fallopian tubes are critical for achieving a successful spontaneous pregnancy as the sperm travels all the way to the tubes to fertilize an egg. As part of an infertility investigation, it is often essential to determine whether the woman's fallopian tubes are open or not.
The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia (by sedating the patient). A small cut is made on the skin of the abdomen and an instrument called a laparoscope (that has a tiny camera attached to it) is inserted.
A metal or plastic tube is then passed through the cervix into the uterus, and a blue dye is injected through this tube into the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes.
If the tubes are open, the dye can be observed spilling out of the ends of the tubes as seen through the camera of the laparoscope. In contrast, if the tubes are blocked, the dye will flow back into the cavity of the uterus.
Apart from evaluating tubal patency, it can also help identify and treat other causes of infertility like pelvic adhesions and endometriosis with the help of laparoscopy.