Table 2.

Comparison of hysterosalpingography with laparoscopy

Hysterosalpingography	Laparoscopy and dye hydrotubation
• Outpatient procedure	• Day surgery procedure
• Analgesia adequate	• General anaesthesia required
• Simple, inexpensive	• Expensive
• Gives uterine cavity information	• Shows outer contour of the uterus only (unless with hysteroscopy)
• Tubal patency tested	• Shows appearance of tubes and their patency; also appearance of ovaries and pelvic peritoneum
• Screening test	• Definitive test
• Not particularly sensitive for mild distal tubal disease or endometriosis	• Distal tubal disease or endometriosis can be diagnosed and treated