Evaluation of Hydrotubation as a Tubal Patency Test

The fallopian tubes are unique and im• .../' _ portant structures in the female genital tract and they form the most important si.ng!a area of infertility. The tubal factor is responsible for infertility in 21% (Stallworthy, 1963) to 47 % cases (Rubin, 1947). A variety of diagnostic procedures have been devised to evaluate the patency of the tubes, but they all have their limitations. Of these the most commonly used test of tubal patency is the Rubin's test which is a fairly simple and well established procedure, yet the common difficulties one faces with it are: (i) A highincidence of false negative results. (ii) co~ is not readiliy available in small cylinders. (iii) The Sharman's kymograph is a sophisticated expensive instrument p.nd requires some technical know-how. Hence there has been a need for a simpler tubal :patency test. This study was . undertaken to evaluate whether hydrotubation with ·Cortisone and antibiotic solution can be used as an initial tubal patency test with some advantages over the Rubin's test.