Tubal factors in sterility: a laparoscopic study of 697 cases of sterility.

Of 697 cases of sterility 491 had primary sterility and 206 secondary. The subjects uterus tubes ovaries pouch of Douglas and the pelvis were visualized. 26.4% had chronic pelvic inflammatory disease with tubal damage responsible for infertility. 17.5% had complete bilateral blocked tubes. 3% had partial block with delayed spill of the dye. 10% had pelvic tuberculosis. 12.8% of the primary sterility cases and 4.3% of the secondary cases had tuberculosis. Cases with frank tubercles and caseation were diagnosed as tuberculosis. Only 31% of the cases with pelvic pathology would have been diagnosed with clinical examination alone. Laparoscopy is preferable when chronic pelvic infection especially tuberculosis is suspected.