Effects of salpingectomy and antituberculosis treatments on fertility results in patients with genital tuberculosis.

Aim: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effects of tubal surgery and antituberculosis treatments in patients with genital tuberculosis.

Material And Methods: A total of 38 infertile women who had been diagnosed with pelvic tuberculosis and who had had laparoscopy and hysteroscopy were recruited into the study. All women with female genital tuberculosis were divided into two groups: group 1 (salpingectomized, n=21) and group 2 (not salpingectomized, n=15). Both of the groups were treated with antitubercular therapy for 6-12 months.

Results: There was no significant difference in level of gonadotrophins used, estradiol levels on human chorionic gonadotrophin day, mean and mature oocytes retrieved, mean embryos transferred, or cancellation and fertilization rates. Only the number of days of stimulation was statistically significantly higher in group 1 compared to group 2 (10.4±2.3 vs 9.2±1.8; P=0.048). Although it did not reach the statistically significant level, clinical pregnancy rate was higher in group 1 (37.5%, 12/32 vs 23.8%, 5/21; P=0.306). Although not statistically significant, number of ongoing pregnancies per embryo transfer, spontaneous abortion rates before 20 weeks of gestation and take-home baby rates were higher in group 1 compared to group 2 (15.5%, 12/77 vs 6.6%, 3/45; P=0.150; 28.1%, 9 vs 23.8%, 5; P=0.600; 9%, 3 vs 0; P=0.160, respectively).

Conclusion: Salpingectomy is an option for treatment in patients diagnosed with pelvic tuberculosis and infertility to improve both clinical pregnancy rates and take-home baby rates in patients treated with antituberculosis therapy for 12 months.