What is tubal irrigation?

Tubal irrigation, also known as tubal patency test, is a medical procedure used to evaluate the function and patency of the fallopian tubes. During this procedure, fluid (usually normal saline combined with antibiotics) is injected into the uterine cavity through a catheter. The patency of the fallopian tubes is assessed based on the resistance encountered during injection, the presence or absence of backflow, and the volume of fluid injected. Tubal irrigation is simple and easy to perform, and serves as an auxiliary diagnostic tool for patients suspected of having fallopian tube obstruction. Additionally, for fallopian tubes with mild adhesions, irrigation may have some therapeutic effect in clearing the blockage. However, its accuracy is relatively limited, and repeated irrigation may be harmful rather than beneficial to the fallopian tubes. Therefore, the procedure should be performed under the guidance of a qualified physician, and other diagnostic methods such as hysterosalpingography should be used in combination when necessary, to obtain a more accurate assessment of the fallopian tube status.