Laparoscopy for evaluation of infertility patients in a tertiary center in north-eastern Nigeria

Laparoscopy uses fiber optic endoscope passed through the abdominal wall to visualize the peritoneal cavity for both diagnosis and therapy; it is also referred to as Minimal Access Surgery. It is an important tool in the evaluation of infertility. The objective of this study is to determine the value of laparoscopy for evaluation and treatment of infertility patients in Bauchi. North east, Nigeria. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of women who had evaluation using laparoscopy. The case files and theatre records of all the women who had laparoscopy over a 5-year period between the 21st February, 2012 and 20th January, 2017 were retrieved and analyzed. Data on age, parity, type of infertility, intra operative findings and type of procedures done were extracted using a proforma. Analysis was done using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 21, IBM). One hundred and thirty-seven women had laparoscopy and or hysteroscopy during the review period, retrieval rate was 98%. Mean age was 29 years ±SD. Median number of pregnancies was 2. Most of the women had laparoscopy for secondary infertility indicated by tubal or an ovarian factor. Thirty-two (32) women (23.4%) had normal study. Sixteen (16) interventional procedures (12%) were done during the study period ranging from ovarian cystectomy, adhesiolysis, salpingectomy and sterilization. There were nine (9) congenital abnormalities detected during the period. Fifteen (15) women had both hysteroscopy and laparoscopy. Three women (2.8%) had uterine perforation with only one converted to laparotomy giving an overall success of 97%. Laparoscopy has changed the perception of many gynecologists in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility from mere imaginative to definitive thoughts.