Essure Tubal Sterilization
What is Essure?
Essure is a permanent birth control device that has recently become available as an alternative to traditional tubal ligation methods. The spring-like device is inserted through the uterine cavity into the tubal openings using a hysteroscope. This can be done as an in-office procedure. The device expands to fill the tubal opening and then becomes scarred into place, forming a barrier so that sperm cannot reach the egg. Because of the scar formation, it cannot be pulled out of the tube. It is advertised by the manufacturer as a permanent method of birth control. In this respect, it is similar to other tubal ligation methods that are considered by most doctors to be permanent.
Here is a link to an online video animation of the placement of the Essure device into the fallopian tubes.
Is Tubal Reversal Possible For The Essure Device?
I perform 4 tubal reversal procedures each day at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. The women who come here have all varieties of tubal ligation methods. Today, one of the patients had the Essure sterilization method. When she chose this form of tubal sterilization, she was unaware that she would become remarried and want to be able to try to have a child with her new husband.
Although I could not find any previous references regarding attempts to reverse the Essure procedure, I agreed to attempt to perform a reversal for her. The way I did this was to cut the device out of the uterine muscle and then implant the remaining fallopian tube into the uterine cavity through a new opening in the uterus. This procedure is called tubouterine implantation.
The reason I removed the device was that part of the metal spring projects into the uterine cavity. If a pregnancy were to occur with the device in place, this could be harmful to the pregnancy. To my knowledge, this is the first time that the Essure sterilization procedure has been reversed.
November 29th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
This just shows that experience truely matters when you are looking into tubal reversal surgery. Dr. Berger uses his skill, experience and care for his patients to once again perform another successful tubal reversal procedure. Women that have had newer methods of sterilization now have hope if they have changed their minds about wanting more children.
December 2nd, 2007 at 8:24 am
It was quite an exciting day at the Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center as the staff watched Dr Berger perform the Essure sterilization tubal reversal.
This truly is another example of how Dr Berger’s experience and devotion to his patients makes all the difference.
Nice work Dr Berger!
December 5th, 2007 at 7:00 am
I am so excited to hear this. I have been wondering if this could be accomplished. I am interested having this procedure reversed as well. I am in the process of having my paperwork completed by my doctor and hopefully when I submit it, I will be a candidate for reversal as well..
December 28th, 2007 at 8:15 am
great blog, just added you to google blog reader.
April 26th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
[...] Essure is another new tubal sterilization procedure. This does not require surgery, but it is the least reversible method for women wanting kids after tubal ligation. [...]