The Cost-effectiveness of Hysterosalpingography Versus Hysterosalpingo-foam Sonography During Fertility Work-up
- Conditions
- Infertility
- Interventions
- Procedure: ExEm FoamProcedure: Oil-based contrast
- Registration Number
- NCT05882188
- Lead Sponsor
- Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc
- Brief Summary
Hysterosalpingography (HSG) and hysterosalpingo-foam sonography are two methods to assess tubal patency during fertility work-up. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of tubal flushing with oil-based contrast during HSG compared to tubal flushing during HyFoSy in women undergoing fertility work-up. The hypothesis is that tubal flushing with oil-based contrast during HSG leads to more live births than tubal flushing during HyFoSy.
- Detailed Description
Background: The diagnostic work-up for infertility generally includes estimating the risk for tubal pathology and if indicated assessing tubal patency. Traditionally, tubal patency testing during the fertility work-up is performed with hysterosalpingography (HSG). In previous studies it has been demonstrated that tubal flushing with oil-based contrast during HSG resulted in more ongoing pregnancies than when HSG is performed with water-based contrast. HyFoSy is a more patient friendly alternative for HSG. Up till now, the fertility enhancing effect of tubal flushing with ExEm Foam during HyFoSy has only been studied in relatively small and observational studies.
Objectives:The main objective of this study is to determine whether tubal flushing with oil-based contrast during HSG results into more pregnancies leading to live births when compared to tubal flushing with ExEm Foam during HyFoSy, and whether this approach is cost-effective. In this study the safety of both strategies will also be compared.
Rationale: The hypothesis is that tubal flushing with oil-based contrast during HSG leads to more live births compared to tubal flushing with ExEm Foam during HyFoSy in women with an indication for tubal patency testing. If more live births are achieved, expensive fertility treatments will be less needed, which makes tubal flushing with oil-based contrast during HSG a cost-effective strategy.
Study design: This study is a multicenter randomized controlled trial with an economic analysis alongside it. Women with indication for tubal patency testing will be randomized to tubal flushing with oil-based contrast during HSG and tubal flushing with ExEm Foam during HyFoSy.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sex
- Female
- Target Recruitment
- 1102
- Infertile women or women with oligo-or anovulation
- Indication for tubal patency testing during the fertility work-up
- Sufficient understanding of the Dutch or English language
- Signed informed consent
- Severe male factor with a total motile sperm count <3x106ml (pre-washed)
- Known contrast (iodine) allergy
- Women who have had a gynecologic procedure within the last 30 days
- Women with known or suspected reproductive tract neoplasia
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Tubal flushing HyFoSy ExEm Foam Tubal flushing during HyFoSy will be performed by a gynaecologist, fertility doctor, sonographer or nurse according to local protocols. HyFoSy will be performed in the follicular phase of the cycle. Preferably, HyFosy is performed in the next cycle after randomization, but if this is not feasible the procedure may be postponed up till one month after randomization. During HyFoSy approximately 5-10cc of foam will be introduced through a little cervical balloon-less applicator into the uterine cavity. During infusion of the foam into the uterine cavity, a transvaginal ultrasound will be performed which shows whether the Fallopian tubes are patent. The assessment of the procedure will be done by the one who performed the procedure. Tubal flushing during HSG with oil-based contrast Oil-based contrast Tubal flushing during HSG HSG will be performed by a gynaecologist, fertility doctor or nurse according to local protocols. HSG will be performed in the follicular phase of the cycle. Preferably, HSG is performed in the next cycle after randomization, but if this is not feasible the procedure may be postponed up till one month after randomization. After cleaning the vagina and cervix, a vacuum cervix adapter will be applied to the cervix or a Lipiodol resistant balloon catheter or hysterophore will be placed through the cervix. Up to 15ml of Lipiodol Ultra Fluid will be injected into the uterine cavity and its spread directly monitored by fluoroscopy. Six to eight radiographs will be taken and assessed by a gynaecologist or radiologist. The maximum amount of oil-based contrast medium is set at 15ml.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Number of pregnancies leading to live birth. within six months after randomization Pregnancy is defined as a positive pregnancy test, increase in human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) level or a pregnancy shown on ultrasonographic examination. Live birth is defined as the birth of live baby born beyond 24 weeks of pregnancy.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Number of miscarriages within six months after randomization Miscarriage is defined as presence of non-vitality on ultrasound or spontaneous loss off pregnancy
Number of fertility treatment cycles within six months after randomization e.g. intra uterine insemination, in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmatic sperm injection
Cost-effectiveness within six months after randomization Comparing the costs (including costs for tubal patency testing and additional fertility treatments) and the effects (chance of live birth)
Number of adverse events within one months after tubal patency testing e.g. infection, intravasation, thyroid dysfunction
Procedural pain scores Within 15 minutes after tubal patency testing measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) on a scale from 0.0 to 10.0 centimeter immediately after tubal patency testing.
Number of clinical pregnancies within six months after randomization Clinical pregnancy is defined as gestational sac with or without heartbeat visible on ultrasound.
Number of multiple pregnancies within six months after randomization Multiple pregnancy is defined as two or more vital intrauterine pregnancies at 12 weeks gestation.
Number of pregnancy complications within six months after randomization e.g. pregnancy induced hypertension, fetal growth restriction, still birth.
Time to pregnancy leading to live birth within six months after randomization Calculated from the day of randomization till the first day of the last menstrual bleeding before a positive pregnancy test.
Number of ectopic pregnancies within six months after randomization Ectopic pregnancy is defined as no intrauterine gestational sac with: an ectopic gestational sac OR HCG concentration \>1500 international units per liter (IU/L) with free fluid/ectopic mass on ultrasound or serum HCG \>2000IU/L without free fluid/ectopic mass on ultrasound
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
AmsterdamUMC
🇳🇱Amsterdam, Netherlands