The Fallopian tubes, also known as uterine tubes or salpinges (singular salpinx), are two very fine tubes lined with ciliated epithelia, leading from the ovaries of female mammals into the uterus, via the uterotubal junction.

The tube carries an egg from the ovary to the uterus. Unless a biological abnormality, surgery, or ectopic pregnancy caused the loss of one tube, women should have two uterine tubes in their bodies.

If there is any blockage along the way of the fallopian tubes, that prevents sperm from getting to the egg in the uterus or prevent the egg from travelling down the tube is called Fallopian tube blockage or blocked Fallopian tube.

Female fertility due to this disorder is regarded as tubal factor infertility and in Nigeria it is regarded as the number one cause of female infertility and worldwide it accounts for 40% of female infertility.

Blocked fallopian tube can lead to total female infertility if blocked completely or ectopic pregnancy if blocked partially (tubal phimosis).

According to medical science, there are three main locations for fallopian tube blockages. They are:

1. Proximal tubal occlusion: this involves isthmus. It usually occurs after an infection from complications due to abortion, miscarriage, pelvic inflammatory disorder (PID), cesarean (D&C), and permanent birth control methods.

2. Mid segment tubal obstruction: This result from tubal ligation damage. Scar tissues usually develop on top of scar tissues already present from the initial herbal ligation procedure.

3. Distal tubal occlusion: this affects the tubal end closer to the ovary. It is usually filled with fluid; hence, the name hydrosapinx is due to Chlamydia trachomatis (STD) infection.

No symptom is observed when there is a blocked fallopian tube. The only sign is the inability to conceive.

Diagnosis of blocked fallopian tube

• Hysterosalpingogram: Dye is introduced into the uterus and an x –ray is used to monitor the moment of the dye.

• Somohysterography: Ultrasound imaging is used to visualize the tube for any abnormalities.

• Chromotubation: This test is similar to hysterosalpingogram, dye is also used but instead of x – ray to monitor the dye movement, it is done during a surgery called laparoscopy.

• Surgery e.g laparoscopy or open abdominal surgery

• Salpingetony – removal of part of the fallopian tube

• Slpingostomy – creation of a new opening in the fallopian tube entrance nearest the ovary.

• Fimbrioplasty – rebuilding the fimbriae

• Selection tube commutation – insertion of a catheter into the fallopian tube.

• Tubal ligation removal tubal reanastomsis) removal of the tied or cauterized portion of the fallopian tube

The conventional treatment mentioned above have some risks and these risks further complicate the already blocked fallopian tube.

There is always a re-growth of the scar tissues and adhesion and the tube becomes blocked again or worse.  In the case of adhesions, the tissues adhere to the abdominal wall, other reproductive organs or other organs in the location. Pelvic infection and ectopic pregnancy are other risks associated with these treatment procedures.

Many Women have done Surgery several times but still blocked again. No matter if the surgery is performed by the best surgeon in the world, the chances of re-growth or blockage are inevitable.