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Kimographic pertubation
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
Kymographic pertubation is a method of studying the patency of the fallopian tubes by introducing air or carbon dioxide into the uterine cavity, fallopian tubes and into the abdominal cavity with simultaneous visual and graphic recording of the contractile activity of the fallopian tubes. The recording is made using a special recording device.
There are several types of kymographic curves during pertubation, indicating a certain state of the groin.
- The fallopian tubes are freely passable: gas begins to enter the abdominal cavity under a pressure of 50-80 mm Hg. Good peristalsis of the tubes is noted. During auscultation, tubal noise is heard on both sides of the abdominal cavity. A positive phrenicus symptom appears after the introduction of 70-100 ml of gas, if the patient has taken a vertical position.
- Spasm of the fallopian tubes: the maximum pressure remains at the same numbers (100-140 mm Hg) for a long time, its sharp drop is noted after the introduction of antispasmodics. Peristalsis is recorded after the pressure drop, as well as the phrenicus symptom.
- Atony of the fallopian tubes: gas freely penetrates into the abdominal cavity, maximum pressure is lower than normal (40-60 mm Hg), peristalsis is sluggish. The phrenicus symptom appears quickly and is well expressed.
- Obstructed tubal patency (stenosis): characterized by high maximum pressure figures (160-180 mm Hg), which gradually begin to decrease, but the minimum pressure remains above 100 mm Hg. Peristalsis is almost not expressed. The phrenicus symptom is weakly expressed.
- Obstruction of the fallopian tubes: the pressure increases continuously, remaining at high levels (160-200 mm Hg). No noise is heard in the abdominal cavity during auscultation. Pain during pertubation is localized in the lower abdomen, the phrenicus symptom is negative, peristalsis is absent.
Kymographic pertubation is a valuable method for identifying the functional state of the uterus and tubes. Particularly valuable information can be obtained by comparing pertubation data with hysterosalpingography.
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