What is lipiodol flush?

The lipiodol flush is a procedure where lipiodol (poppy seed oil) is injected into the uterus and fallopian tubes using a fine catheter, guided by x-ray. This procedure is similar to the commonly performed tubal patency tests - Hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography (HyCoSy) and Hysterosalpingectomy (HSG).

 

What is the evidence?

There has been increased interest in the use of lipiodol because several studies,(1,2) have shown an increased rate of spontaneous pregnancy and live birth in people with unexplained infertility, following the lipiodol flush procedure.

 

What is the preparation?

• The lipiodol procedure is performed between days 7-12 of the cycle (after bleeding has stopped and before ovulation)

• You must abstain from intercourse from day 1 of the cycle until after the procedure

• Dr Anju will prescribe a single dose of antibiotics to be taken the evening before the procedure

• You will require a support person to drive you home after the procedure

• You may experience some discomfort during the procedure and therefore paracetmol is recommended to be taken 1 hour prior

• The sonogragher will perform a HyCosy (tube flush with foam) initially, to establish that the tubes are patent. If there is a blockage, the lipiodol flush will not proceed

• The procedure takes approximately 45 minutes from start to finish

 

Where can I have the procedure?

Monash Ultrasound for Women, Richmond The Epworth Centre Suite 2.5, Level 2 32 Erin Street Richmond 3121 Tel: (03) 9427 7610 Unfortunately this procedure is not currently available in Bendigo or surrounding areas.

 

How much does it cost?

$1015 ($110 rebate)

 

*This price is subject to change. Please confirm the cost with Monash Ultrasound for Women when booking your appointment.

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1. Dreyer, K., Van Rijswijk, J., Mijatovic, V., Goddijn, M., Verhoeve, H., Van Rooij, I., & Hoek, A. (2017). Oil-Based or Water-Based Contrast for Hysterosalpingography in Infertile Women. The New England Journal of Medicine, 376(21), 2043-2052. Retrieved from https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1612337#t=article

2. N.P. Johnson, C. F. (2004). The FLUSH Trial—Flushing with Lipiodol for Unexplained (and endometriosis-related) Subfertility by Hysterosalpingography: a randomized trial,. Human Reproduction, 19(9), 2043-2051. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deh418