Tuboplasty refers to a number of surgical operations that attempt to restore patency and functioning of the fallopian tube(s) so that a pregnancy could be achieved. As tubal infertility is a common cause of infertility, tuboplasties were commonly performed prior to the development of effective in vitro fertilization (IVF) or repair of any type of tube-like structure, including the Eustachian tube in the head and neck.[citation needed]
Different types of tuboplasty can be distinguished:[1][2]
Above surgical procedures are performed through either a laparotomy or laparoscopy approach. Techniques include the use of microsurgery, laser, electrocautery, hydrodissection, mechanical dissection, and use of surgical stents, hoods, adhesions barriers, and more.[citation needed]
Results depend on the underlying pathology and the skill of the surgeon. Pregnancy rates may range from 0–48% (Rock, 1985).[3]
Ectopic pregnancy is a complication after a tuboplasty. It may require a salpingectomy (removal of a tube).
Schroder is credited to have performed the first tuboplasty when he created an ampullary cuff and thus reopened an occluded tube in 1884.[2] The first postoperative pregnancy was reported by Martin in 1891, however it aborted. For about a century tuboplastic procedures were the main approach to correct tubal infertility situations. With the development of IVF technology, IVF has increasingly supplanted tuboplasty as a treatment for tubal infertility.[citation needed]