Abstract

Background: Infertility affects approximately 10% of the population. One third (30%) of infertility can be attributed to male factors, and about one third (30%) can be attributed to female factors. In about 20% of cases infertility is unexplained, and the remaining 10% of infertility is caused by a combination of problems in both partners. Diagnostic laparoscopy is the gold standard in diagnosing tubal pathology and other intra?abdominal causes of infertility. Objective : To evaluate the role of laparoscopy in the diagnosis of infertility. Study design : Retrospective study. Setting : Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, K.S. Hegde Charitable hospital, Mangalore from July 2006 to December 2007. Methods : Fifty infertile women underwent diagnostic laparoscopy during the study period. Couples who had not lived together for at least 12 months, and those with male factor infertility were excluded. Laparoscopy was scheduled in the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. Results: Of the fifty women studied, 34 (64%) had primary infertility while 16 (36%) secondary infertility. Laparoscopy revealed normal findings in 8 (23.5%) with primary infertility and 2 (12.5%) with secondary infertility. The common finding was tubal blockage in 9 (26.5%) and 4 (25%) of primary and secondary infertility respectively. Conclusion : Most common cause responsible for infertility was tubal occlusion in both primary and secondary infertility group. Laparoscopy is necessary in establishing diagnosis of female infertility.