Untying Tied Tubes: Falope Ring Sterilization
Falope Ring Sterilization
The Yoon Falope rings were developed in the 1960’s as a safer alternative to laparoscopic monopolar cautery tubal sterilization. This procedure is performed by inserting a laparoscope just under the belly button. The fallopian tube is then identified and a device holds the tube while the silastic ring is slid over a 2-3 cm ’knuckle’ of tube that is kinked off by the ring. This is done once for each side.
The common misperception is that the Falope ring is what prevents pregnancy and that reversal of the procedure simply requires removal of the ring. The Falope ring causes the squeezed ’knuckle’ of tube to undergo avascular necrosis (to die and become absorbed by the body). After this happens the ends of the tubal segments outside the ring close up, thereby preventing sperm from reaching the egg.
Falope Ring Sterilization Reversal
Reversing Falope ring sterilization is not as easy as just removing the ring. The closed ends of the tubes must be opened and the tubal segments must be rejoined.
Falope rings cause destruction of a minimal length of fallopian tube and reversal of this type of tubal ligation gives excellent results. Approximately 75% of patients at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center become pregnant after a reversal of a Falope ring sterilization procedure.
Many people believe tubal sterilization is permanent and irreversible. Although tubal sterilization with Falope rings is intended to be permanent, this procedure can be reversed. Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center is the only medical facility that specializes exclusively in reversal of tubal ligation.
May 14th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Tubal rings and tubal clips are occlusive methods of tubal sterilization. The clips (Hulka clips and Filshie clips) are the very best method of tubal ligation in terms of reversal success. I have noticed over the years that fibrosis of the segment of fallopian tube attached to the uterus is more common with Falope rings. Given the choice between rings and clips, patients should request tubal sterilization with clips.
May 14th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Thanks for the information. I know that this will help women understand what happens when they are told that they have “rings” placed on their tubes. It is always a benefit to have information out there that can help women make the best decision that they can for themselves.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
We also seem to hear complaints about leg pain or cramping from women have had one of the occlusion techniques like clips or rings. But fortunately, the results after the reversal can be excellent!
May 15th, 2008 at 6:28 am
This information is very helpful. A lot of women are under the impression that they can conceive after five years (without having the tubal reversal)- because the rings will “slide off”. The common misconception described above should clarify this.
May 15th, 2008 at 6:49 am
Information for women considering sterilization is helpful if there is the likelihood for tubal ligation reversal in the future,especially knowing there are several tubal ligation procedures performed. It’s nice to know there are choices for sterilization consideration and that tubal reversal surgery is available.
May 15th, 2008 at 7:46 am
I am always very happy to see that a doctor chose to use Falope rings (or clips) on a patient. Especially when the patient has the ligation at a very young age. A women age 18 to 21 has little idea what lies ahead in their life and it’s very prudent of the ligation doctor to choose a more easily reversed ligation method.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Thank you for the detailed information about Falope rings, Dr. Monteith. I wish more physicians would choose this method of sterilization because you never know what the future will bring and Falope rings are more easily reversed than other methods of tubal ligation.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Dr. Berger’s website provides valuable information to women searching for answers regarding tubal reversal. There are very few practioners who care enough to go to the extent Dr. Berger does for patient education. Thank you, Dr. Berger.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:49 am
We do have many ladies come to us for tubal reversal who have had falope ring sterilization. In addition to the fibrosis that Dr Berger mentioned, I have seen many variations on the amount of tube that is pulled through the ring. This is important to note, as the length of the tube that is pulled through the ring dies and therefore determines the length of healthy tube left for tubal repair.
May 19th, 2008 at 11:41 am
It is good to know that while Falope Rings offer a safe alternative for tying the tubes, women also get good results when they desire to have their tubes untied by tubal reversal surgery. Both Dr.Berger and Dr.Monteith are experts in this specialized field of surgery.
May 28th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Many women ask why the rings can’t just be popped off and the tubes be able to work. We wish it were that simple. When the Falope rings are applied they cut off the circulation to the tube and cause the tissue under and just adjacent to it to die. Dr. Berger and Dr. Monteith removed the ring and the dead tissue and connect the healthy parts of the fallopian tube back together. It is a neat procedure to watch!
July 17th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
I’m grateful that the doctor that performed my ligation used Hulka clips. When I requested my OR records, and saw Hulka clips I was elated. I had already read that they had a much better chance of reversal.
After my surgury on Sept 7th, 2006 Dr.Berger came to see me briefly in the OR and told me that it looked great and my chances were excellent. I could tell just by his tone and mannerisms that it was going to happen. He just seemed so pleased with the results and the lengths on both sides.
I’m one of the 75% that got pg after TR. We conceived three times in a year - lost two pregnancies to miscarriage - but finally received our TR blessing born May 13th.
I wish that all TR’s were performed with clips or rings. It just makes it much easier to reverse if or when the need or desire arises.