Role Of Blocked Fallopian Tubes -Myths and Facts !!

Any preganancy revolves around four major factors-Sperms(Male factor),Egg(ovarian),Fallopian tubes(Tubal) and a healthy womb(Uterine) and to add to it comined, unexplained and the grey zone of implantation and sustainability.
This proves each step is so important and contributing to be worked upon
Today we will discuss about the tubal factor as what role fallopian tubes have exactly !!
Role of fallopian tubes-Fallopian tubes are actually the only connecting link to form the baby when its by natural or minimaly invasive means
So if tubes are damaged by any means its going to effect the final outcome
Effect on body- As if tubes are damaged they wont show any symptoms but may have signs in form of pain lower abdomen or associated sign sof PID especially when they are blocked and distended with infected fluid(Hydrosalpinx,pyosalpinx)
Effect on IVF outcome-The debate on hydrosalpinx and impaired IVF outcome has mainly focused on the best treatment before IVF and on functional surgery as an alternative treatment. We would like to initiate a debate on the possible reasons why the outcome is impaired. We know that salpingectomy is effective in terms of improved birth rates after IVF, but we do not know exactly why. The main focus is on embryotoxic properties of the hydrosalpinx fluid, which include micro-organisms, endotoxins, cytokines, oxidative stress and lack of nutrients. The endometrial receptivity may be reduced as an effect of disturbed expression of the cytokine cascade, which is essential for implantation. The presence of excessive fluid in the uterine cavity may also be a mechanical hindrance to implantation. We believe that the hydrosalpinx fluid is of crucial importance, but the actual mechanism of action needs to be clarified
Latest Updates-omen with hydrosalpinges are indeed a heterogeneous group: when hydrosalpinges are clearly visualized by ultrasound, the implantation rate (IR) and pregnancy rate (PR) are markedly reduced compared with other women with hydrosalpinges that were identified by hysterosalpingography or laparoscopy, but not seen on ultrasound
Reference link for interested readers-http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Blocked-Fallopian-Tubes

Regards
Dr Richa Sharma
Senior IVF consultant DELHI NCR
Post Doctoral Fellow National Board(FNBE)
Reproductive Medicine(New Delhi), Bangalore
Fellow Reproductive Medicine, Madras Medical Mission (Chennai)
MRCOG(London)