Rationale of first-line endoscopy-based fertility exploration using transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy and minihysteroscopy

R L De Wilde, Rudy Leon De Wilde, I Brosens, Ivo Brosens
Human Reproduction · 2012 · vol. 27(8) , pp. 2247–2253 · doi:10.1093/humrep/des192 · PMID:22674201 · W2122091184
article OA: bronze CC0 ⤵ 3 in-corpus citations
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-08 ⓘ

Transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy and minihysteroscopy offer an effective and safe first-line endoscopic approach for fertility exploration in women with unexplained infertility, challenging the standard 1-year waiting period.

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Abstract

The transvaginal access for exploration of tubo-ovarian function in women with unexplained infertility has been revived since transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy (THL) was introduced in 1998. One prospective double-blind trial and several reviews have validated the diagnostic value of THL in comparison with laparoscopy for the exploration of women with unexplained infertility. A review of the recent literature confirms the efficacy and safety of the technique for first-line endoscopy-based exploration of fertility. The standard policy of 1-year delay for laparoscopic investigation in unexplained infertility is challenged. In older women and particularly in women experienced in fertility awareness methods, THL and minihysteroscopy can be performed after a waiting period of 6-12 months.

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Condition tags

endometriosisinfertility

MeSH descriptors

Endoscopy Hysteroscopy Infertility, Female Laparoscopy Adult Clinical Trials as Topic Endometriosis Endometriosis Endoscopy Fallopian Tube Diseases Fallopian Tube Diseases Female Humans Hysteroscopy Infertility, Female Laparoscopy Ovarian Diseases Ovarian Diseases Ovary Ovary

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