Laparoscopy risks to ectopic pregnancy

[konyaga]

Hi everyone,

I'm on the waiting list for laparoscopy due to suspected tubal blockage.

Has anyone had a laparoscopy while going through IVF ?

Several sources say that laparoscopy can increase the chance of ectopic pregnancy for IVF patients - at the same time it's also said that a fallopian tube blocked by scar tissue could also increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy - I'm so confused!

>The (laparoscopy) procedure may cause injury or scarring to your fallopian tubes, uterus, or ovaries.

> Surgically opening the tube lead to a higher risk of tubal pregnancy.

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi konyaga. The laparoscopy is to look around your pelvic area. If they find scar tissue and/or endometriosis it is usually layered away. Your Fallopian tubes will be flushed too and if blocked they will probably be clipped or removed before IVF. If the tubes are ok they will be left. There is always the risk of adhesions can happen after any surgery, but great care will be taken to avoid it. Just check with the surgeon what happens if tubes are found to be blocked. Good luck. Diane

[RebeccaTheo]

Hi Konyaga,

I thought it might be helpful if I outlined my experience...

I had a laparoscopy and it was the best thing I’ve done. I had suspected hydrosalpinx (fluid blocking the tube) and when the surgeon went in he found both tubes were blocked so he removed both Fallopian tubes (effectively sterilising me). I had an egg collection prior so we implanted 3 embryos a month after the surgery and two were successful. I’m so glad I did it, ultrasounds didn’t even pick up my blocked tubes as the blockage would come and go.

As a side note…apparently I could have done egg harvesting after the surgery too but I chose to go before as there is a very slight risk my ovaries might have been damaged.

Hope this might be of some help…

Rx

[Daarcat in reply to RebeccaTheo]

I have had just the same experience as Rebecca. The laproscopy and hysteroscopy was the best thing I had done as I had had several failed implantations but became pregnant with frozen embryo directly following this procedure having had both fallopian tubes removed x