Salpingectomy is the removal of the fallopian tube, while salpingostomy is the repair of the fallopian tube. Salpingostomy is preferred in cases where the woman’s tubes are damaged and the fertility of the woman is desired to be preserved. The advantage of salpingostomy relative to salpingectomy is that since the tube is not removed, future natural pregnancies are possible.
Conditions that can be treated using salpingostomy are as following:
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Hydrosalpinx
- Fallopian tube blockage
- Fallopian tube cancer
Salpingostomy is performed through laparotomy and laparoscopy. Laparoscopic salpingostomy is generally preferred over laparotomy due to its advantages such as fewer complications, less pain, less scarring, and a faster healing process. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and takes about 1 hour. The laparoscopic salpingostomy requires a one-night hospital stay, the full recovery time is about 3 weeks.
