This test involves injecting a radio opaque dye through the cervix into the uterine cavity and performing X ray imaging at the same time to determine exit of dye through the fimbrial end of the tube to determine tubal patency.
Bilateral free spill off dye suggests normal tubal function
HSG also gives a fair idea of uterine cavity
However sometimes due to cornual spasm or improper technique, HSG test may show tubal block in the presence of none.
HSG is a painful procedure.
Hence we at Sunflower Women’s Hospital, don’t prefer to perform this test as first line test in evaluation female partner.
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is a better tool to evaluate tubal patency with a better sensitivity and specificity
This also assists to open the tubal block at the same sitting.
This is described in detail in the endoscopy section.
Sonosalpingogram
This test is not a very accurate test to determine tubal function.
It involves saline injection of uterine cavity
It only determines tubal patency by presence of saline in pouch of douglas and hence it cannot differentiate whether a single or both tubes are patent
Sonosalpingogram