Optimal Time Interval between Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation for Hydrosalpinges and ICSI-ET

Ab s t r Ac t Objective: To determine the optimal time interval between performing laparoscopic tubal ligation for hydrosalpinges and an intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (ICSI-ET) treatment cycle. Design: A retrospective cohort study. Setting: Private infertility clinic. Patients and methods: The study group included 69 infertile women who had laparoscopic tubal ligation for hydrosalpinges. Forty-one patients (group A) had an ICSI-ET cycle <10 weeks after laparoscopic tubal surgery, 20 patients (group B) had an ICSI-ET cycle 10 and 16 weeks after surgery, and 20 patients (group C) had an ICSI-ET cycle >16 weeks after surgery. Intervention: Laparoscopic tubal ligation and ICSI-ET. Main outcome measure(s): Pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and implantation rate. Results: Pregnancy rates were 39%, 50%, and 50%, clinical pregnancy rates were 31.7%, 45%, and 50%, and implantation rates were 14.8%, 21.5%, and 18% for groups A, B, and C, respectively. Conclusion: Although the reduction in pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate and implantation rate in group A, as compared with groups B and C, did not reach statistical significance, our results suggest that ICSI-ET treatment cycles be postponed for at least 10 weeks after laparoscopic tubal ligation for hydrosalpinx. A larger prospectively randomized study should be conducted to confirm the minimum delay period required for endometrial receptivity to recover.