Fertility after salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy

[NicoleB0507]

I had a laparascopic left salpingectomy on 1/4/11 for an ectopic pregnancy and I have several questions regarding my remaining fertility.  I had no known risk factors for an ectopic pregancy.  The postoperative findings state that I have a normal right tube and a normal right ovary, which is good news of course.  The left tube was found to have "mild clubbing."  My question is, is there any way to know anything about the condition of the inside of the right tube just by looking at it on the outside during the exploratory lap?  My concern is the possibility that I could have scarring or some other kind of blockage on the right side and not know it.  I am fortunate to have a 22-month-old daughter, so I am, or at least was, capable of getting pregnant.  Based on the findings of the left tube, is it possible that I could have gotten pregnant with my daughter from the left side or much more likely (or even certain) that I got pregnant with her from the right side?  And how long should I wait to try for another pregnancy?  I got pregnant with my daughter the first month after stopping birth control and this pregnancy that I lost happened the second month after stopping birth control.  Does the fact that I got pregnant quickly twice in the past likely  improve my chances of getting pregnant again?  Thank you so much.

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
If you were my patient, I would do a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) for you if you hadn't been able to conceive again within the next 6 months. You have had such good success in the past, I would want to let you "try" before doing much testing.  The HSG is a dye study of the remaining tube, and could be done if things aren't happening.  From the report, it looks like your left tube may have had some damage, but it could have been caused by the pregnancy too.  Your chances should be pretty good!
Good luck!
Dr B

[NicoleB0507]

Thank you for your input.  Six months was actually what I had in mind before asking for an HSG if we're unable to conceive by then.  At my post op appointment on Friday, my Dr. did say that they likely would not make me wait the usual year before starting a work up if we're unable to conceive on our own after several months of trying.  She also said that the clubbing of my left tube was due to the edema of the tube r/t the ectopic.  Everything else looks normal so crossing my fingers and anxious to start trying again!