Guidance
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on fallopian tube recanalisation by guidewire.
Description
Fallopian tube recanalisation by guidewire is a treatment for infertility caused by blocked fallopian tubes, especially if the blockage is close to the entrance to the uterus (proximal). It is carried out during the same treatment session as diagnostic salpingography and involves inserting a fine tube (catheter) past the obstruction in a fallopian tube. This, or the subsequent injection of radio-opaque dye, may clear the obstruction. If these strategies fail, a guidewire may be passed up into the fallopian tubes through the catheter, and manipulated to clear the obstruction.
Alternative radiological methods of clearing tubal obstruction including balloon tuboplasty, which involves inflating a small balloon within the tube. Tubal obstruction may also be treated surgically.
Coding and clinical classification codes for this guidance.