What is hysterosalpingography?

Patient's question:

Hysterosalpingography

Doctor's answer:

1. The patient assumes the lithotomy position, and the external genitalia and vagina are disinfected with 0.25% povidone-iodine. A speculum is used to expose the cervix, which is disinfected again.
2. The anterior lip of the cervix is clamped with a cervical tenaculum and pulled outward. A pre-disinfected double-lumen balloon catheter is inserted into the external os of the cervix. Air is injected into the balloon with a syringe (1–2 ml), and the catheter is gently pulled outward by hand without slipping.
3. The patient lies supine on the fluoroscopy table under X-ray. A prepared 20%–40% iodized oil (10 ml) is injected through the double-lumen catheter. After the iodized oil fills the uterus and fallopian tubes, an X-ray is taken. Attention is paid to whether iodized oil spreads to the pelvic cavity from the fallopian tube ostia. The patient is instructed to take a second X-ray after 24 hours.