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Lipiodol flush under ultrasound guidance in Australia
Author(s) -
Sekhon Jasmin,
Lee Emmeline,
Lo Glen,
Woolcock Jane,
Ramkrishnan Jayshree,
Menezes Melody,
Tan Shawn,
Meagher Simon,
Murphy Anthony
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/ajo.13244
Subject(s) - medicine , lipiodol , pregnancy , hysterosalpingography , tolerability , infertility , adverse effect , obstetrics , miscarriage , retrospective cohort study , pregnancy rate , medical record , gynecology , surgery , embolization , genetics , biology
Background Lipiodol tubal flushing is offered to select subfertile women primarily to confirm tubal patency and to increase pregnancy rates. Aims To investigate the safety of hystero‐salpingo contrast sonography (HyCoSy) using Lipiodol flush (through frequency of adverse events and mean recalled pain score) and secondarily to quantify pregnancy rates. Materials and Methods Retrospective observational Phase 1 study of subfertile women in three centres across Australia between June 2017 and June 2019. Cases were identified from medical records, and women telephoned to assess adverse outcomes, procedure tolerability and confirm pregnancy outcomes within six months from procedure. Results A total of 325 cases were identified; 14 were excluded due to incomplete or abandoned procedure, 32 were lost to follow‐up, leaving 279 for analysis. Fourteen women (5% overall) experienced mild vasovagal reactions, with one case of infection and no reports of anaphylaxis or allergy. There were 141 conceptions reported (51%) within six months after Lipiodol flush, and an ongoing pregnancy in 43% (119) of women. For women with ongoing pregnancies, 55% (78/119) conceived spontaneously, and 45% (63/119) via artificial reproductive technology. Mean recalled pain score was 5.7 (SD 3.2; range 0‐10) at a single site. Conclusions This Phase 1 study has indicated that Lipiodol flush using HyCoSy may be a safe and efficacious alternative to hysterosalpingography in the workup for infertility. The low adverse effect profile observed in this study coupled with a substantial ongoing pregnancy rate indicates that further investigation of Lipiodol under HyCoSy is warranted.