Culdoscopic Examination in Cases of Female Infertility

Abstract

In cases of early ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis and abdominal pain of unknown origin, culdoscopy is an essential. diagnostic aid. D e c k e r ' s (1944, 1949, and 1952) method is usually employed, though P a 1 m e r (1939) prefers a modification of TeLinde's older method. O n the other hand, the value of culdoscopy in the examination of women who are infertile is still controversial. D e c k e r himself considers the method of use when douht exists as to the exact extent of tuba1 pathology responsible for sterility.S j o v a l l (1950) and H e r s t e i n (1955) included sterility among the indications for culdoscopy, and C 1 a u s s (1950) stressed its value in this case. B u x t o n and H e r r m a n n (1954) were somewhat uncertain as regards the merits of the method. This seems, to a great extent, to be due to the fact that they may not have used the most favourable methods. T h o m s e n (1954) considered hysterosalpingography (HSG) superior to culdoscopy. Since 1953, we have a t this Clinic, performed routine culdoscopic examination in cases of sterility, in order to gain a conception of the value of the method in the management of this condition. Cliizical Cases and ResultsDuring the years from 1953 to 1957, 75 women have been examined for infertility in this Department. The infertility was