This chapter addresses the controversies surrounding the impact and surgical management of hydrosalpinges and uterine leiomyoma on in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle outcome. Evidence accumulated over the last 15 years suggests that either unilateral or bilateral hydrosalpinges may exert deleterious effects on IVF cycle outcome. Hydrosalpinx fluid may have a direct embryotoxic effect and may also inhibit fertilization. This deleterious effect may be mediated by the presence of inflammatory cytokines present within hydrosalpinx fluid. Several groups have reported that only large hydrosalpinges, visible on ultrasound, resulted in reduced implantation and pregnancy rates. The impact of uterine leiomyomata specifically on the outcome of assisted reproductive technologies has been evaluated with conflicting results. Evaluation of the uterine cavity by hysteroscopy or sonohysterography should be a routine part of the pre-cycle evaluation. The accuracy of routine ultrasound evaluation and hysterosalpingography is more limited.

Microlaparoscopy offers the advantage of carrying out many diagnostic and operative gynecologic procedures in a rapid, minimally invasive approach. Proper patient selection is very important for the success of the procedure. Microlaparoscopy could be performed either with general anesthesia or with local anesthesia under conscious sedation, which is a state of depressed consciousness allowing communication with the patient during the procedure. An umbilical incision is made (a local anesthetic block is done first in a case of conscious sedation) through which the interlocking trocar with the Verres needle is introduced to the abdomen. Most of the patients can leave the office within one hour of the procedure. Microlaparoscopy is currently used for infertility assessment, surgical management of endometriosis, lysis of pelvic adhesions, ovarian drilling, gamete intrafallopian transfer, tubal embryo transfer, hydrosalpinx removal before in vitro fertilization (IVF), and management of ectopic and heterotopic pregnancy.