Some causes of infertility are structural and can be corrected by surgery, frequently with outpatient or same-day procedures.

This can include removing endometriosis, polyps or fibroid tumors, and eradicating the scars and adhesions that hamper pregnancy.

Surgical options

Washington University infertility surgical options for women and people planning to carry a pregnancy include:

Hysteroscopy
An incision-free procedure during which a device called a hysterscope is passed through the cervix into the uterine cavity. Hysteroscopy can be used to remove uterine polyps, fibroids, retained products of conception, and scar tissue. Hysteroscopic incision of a uterine septum can also be performed to reduce the risk of miscarriage. These are simple outpatient procedures that do not require any incisions and have a quick recovery. Click the embedded links above to see information and videos from our physicians of these procedures.

Laparoscopic surgery
A minimally invasive procedure during which the surgeon views and treats the problem area via a laparoscope inserted into the abdomen through tiny incisions. This procedure helps confirm whether fallopian tubes are open and can be used to diagnose pelvic pathology like endometriosis. It is also used to treat endometriosis, remove ovarian cysts, scar tissue or remove damaged tubes (i.e hydrosalpinges) that could impair fertility.