The effects of contrast media in patients undergoing salpingography on pregnancy rates

Abstract EN

Objective : find out the effect of contrast media used in hysterosalpingography on the subsequent pregnancy rate.

Methods : this is a retrospective study where we reviewed 40 patients who received water-soluble contrast media and 35 patients who received oil-soluble contrast media in the period 1st March to 1st October 2005 with regards to their pregnancy rates in the first 4 months following the procedure at Prince Hashem Hospital.

Results : four out of 40 (10 %) patients who received water-soluble contrast conceived in the first 4 months compared with 8 out of 35 (22.8 %) patients in the oil-soluble group.

There was a statistically significant difference in the rate of conception within 4 months following the procedure.

Extravasation was comparable between the 2 groups (3 of 40 versus 2 of 35 patients) and no serious consequences occurred in both groups.

The experience of pain after the procedure was similar in both groups as assessed subjectively by the patients.

Conclusion : in conclusion that pregnancy rates after the first 4 months of the procedure were higher after hysterosaplingography with oil-soluble than with water-soluble contrast medium and oil-soluble medium could have a pregnancy- enhancing effect at least in the short term 4 months period after the procedure.