Tubal Reversal Surgery Makes Conception Possible After Sterilization

By Pierrette Martine


When women decide that they don't wish to have more children, it is common for them to undergo a tubal ligation procedure to prevent conceptions. However, some of these women will later decide that they do in fact want another baby, usually due to remarriage or other circumstances changing in their lives. A type of surgery known as tubal reversal can restore the ability to conceive in many of them.

A tubal ligation involves either cutting, cauterizing, or clamping the fallopian tubes which connect the ovaries to the uterus and are the most common site of conception. Reversal surgery does the opposite of this and actually rejoins the cut segments of the tubes together to facilitate the passage of the ovum, once again making fertilization a possibility. Several factors will determine if a woman is a good candidate for this procedure.

The manner in which the surgeon ligated the tubes can greatly affect the likelihood of a successful reversal. The funnel-like fimbriae on each end of the tubes should still be intact, and minimal cauterization should have been used for the best results. The longer the remaining sections of the tubes are, the better the woman's chances of conceiving again are as well.

A woman who is considering this surgery will need to schedule a consultation with a doctor who has been trained to perform this delicate procedure. He or she will explain exactly what will be done and will answer any questions the patient may have. It is usually also necessary for some diagnostic tests to be carried out to assess the condition of the woman's fallopian tubes, this may include an ultrasound or hysterosalpinogram (dye test).

The best candidates for this procedure are those whom have had their tubes sealed off with removable clips or have only a had a tiny amount of tissue taken from each tube. Better results are normally seen if the original ligation surgery was performed immediately following childbirth and the woman is a younger age. If there is excessive scarring or the tube lengths are too short it will reduce the chances of a successful reversal.

The patient is given a general anesthetic and will be unconscious during the surgery. Two incisions are made, one in the navel through which a lighted tube called a laparoscope is inserted, and the other right above the pubic bone, through which the surgeon can repair the tubes by either microsurgical rejoining or removal of the clips.

It will normally take about two to three hours to complete the procedure. Most women will only require a few hours rest and they may then go home the same day in most cases. Mild discomfort may occur, which can be controlled with an analgesic prescribed by the doctor. A second dye test may be done after a few months to make sure the tubes are open and functioning normally.

The individual success rate of the tubal reversal surgery is determined by such factors as the woman's age, fertility of both partners, skill of the surgeon, and how much scarring is present in the pelvic region. It can be anywhere from 40-85 % effective in most cases. Most women who will conceive will do so within a year of the procedure.




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