Treatment of hydrosalpinx

Hydrosalpinx is a disease in which an excess amount of fluid is produced and accumulated in one or in both fallopian tubes, forming a capsule. As a result, the fallopian tube expands, and its permeability, on the contrary, decreases. Most often, hydrosalpinx appears due to inflammation of the fallopian tubes, adhesions and other diseases.

SYMPTOMS OF HYDROSALPINX

The development of hydrosalpinx begins asymptomatically. While the capsule is small, the woman does not feel anything. The first signs appear when a lot of fluid accumulates and the pressure on the walls of the fallopian tube increases.

Symptoms of a progressive disease may include:

• throbbing pain in the lower abdomen on one or both sides;
• discomfort, slight pain during sexual intercourse;
• periodic profuse watery discharge from the vagina (the contents of the hydrosalpinx can be poured into the uterus and vagina);
• temperature rise in case of the development of acute inflammation.

Infertility can also be a manifestation of hydrosalpinx. The narrowing of the lumen of the fallopian tube prevents conception.

CAUSES OF HYDROSALPINX

Hydrosalpinx develops in case of blood and lymph circulatory disturbance, which leads to the accumulation of fluid. The causes of the disease can be the following:

• infectious and inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system and abdominal cavity;
• adhesions in the abdominal cavity;
• endometriosis;
• new growths in the abdominal cavity;
• ectopic pregnancy;
• suffered miscarriage or abortion;
• surgeries on the pelvic organs;
• hypothermia.

Most often, the accumulation of fluid occurs in connection with infections of the genitourinary system.

CLASSIFICATION OF HYDROSALPINX

Depending on the localization, the following types of hydrosalpinx are distinguished:

• right-sided;
• left-sided;
• double-sided.

According to the extension of the pathological process hydrosalpinx can be:

• simple hydrosalpinx - fluid accumulates in one cavity of the fallopian tube;
• follicular - adhesions grow in the tube and cause the appearance of individual cavities filled with fluid.

Ventilated hydrosalpinx is also distinguished when its contents are periodically released into the uterus.

COMPLICATIONS OF HYDROSALPINX

As it develops, hydrosalpinx can close the gap in the tube and cause adhesions. This causes infertility, ectopic pregnancy and recurrent pregnancy loss. It also reduces the effectiveness of in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

Hydrosalpinx is most commonly associated with other diseases, that, without timely treatment, can also cause complications. In order to prevent their development, it is necessary to undergo regular preventive examinations by a gynecologist (at least once a year) and, if necessary, treatment.

To make an appointment with an obstetrician-gynecologist, call the «Oxford Medical» contact center or write to the chat on the website.

DIAGNOSIS OF HYDROSALPINX

Due to the asymptomatic onset of the disease and the non-specific symptoms that appear when hydrosalpinx increases, it is difficult to diagnose it. The manifestations are similar to other diseases, but the treatment is quite different. Therefore, careful differential diagnosis is important.

To diagnose hydrosalpinx, the doctor may prescribe:

• gynecological examination on the chair - during palpation, the gynecologist can detect tissue thickening in the area of ​​the tubes, the woman can feel pain at this moment;
• ultrasound of the pelvic organs - may show a new growth in the fallopian tube, but does not make it possible to determine its type;
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - provides better visualization, helps to differentiate the formation (to distinguish hydrosalpinx from a cyst);
• metrosalpingography - contrast X-ray examination of the fallopian tubes patency.

The doctor may also prescribe laboratory tests to diagnose inflammatory and infectious diseases.

TREATMENT OF HYDROSALPINX at «OXFORD MEDICAL»

Hydrosalpinx is treated with conservative and surgical methods. The choice depends on the stage of the disease. At the initial stage and with a small size of the hydrosalpinx, the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs. Stagnation of fluid in the fallopian tubes often occurs in connection with infections of the genitourinary system, therefore, they are also treated in parallel. Physiotherapy is also sometimes used: electrophoresis, magnetophoresis, endovaginal massage and others.

In the case of large or follicular hydrosalpinx, as well as infertility that appears in connection with it, surgical treatment is recommended. The operation is performed by a laparoscopic method. It’s a minimally invasive intervention. Instead of opening the abdominal cavity, it has only 3 punctures up to 1 cm in diameter, through which endoscopic devices are inserted. They provide a point-to-point drainage of the tube and maintain its functionality.

In rare cases, when the tube is badly damaged, it can be removed. But in women of reproductive age, surgeons try to perform organ-saving operations.