Tubal disease accounts for approximately one third of all causes of infertility.
The fallopian tube is not only a conduit for the sperm to reach the egg but also is the site of fertilization. It is also the home for the fertilized embryo on its journey to the uterus. The fallopian tubes can be damaged by prior infection, pelvic inflammatory disease, prior pelvic or abdominal surgery or by endometriosis. If the x-ray suggests a tubal abnormality, a laparoscopy may be performed. A laparoscopy is an outpatient surgery, which involves the placement of a lighted telescope through a small abdominal incision into the abdomen and allows a view of the pelvic structures.