Untying Tied Tubes: Tubal Ligation and Resection
Tubal Sterilization Methods
‘Tying tubes’ is a phrase that is commonly used to refer to surgical procedures that result in tubal sterilization.
There are many different ways to block the fallopian tubes for tubal sterilization: ligation and resection (tying and cutting), tubal clips or rings, and electrocoagulation (burning). No matter how the procedure is done, the end result is closure or occlusion of the fallopian tube. This prevents sperm from reaching an egg.
Tubal Ligation and Resection
The most common female sterilization procedure is the ligation and resection method. This was the earliest reported method of sterilization, and it is still a very common and effective procedure. According to the method described by Dr. Ralph Pomeroy, an absorbable suture is tied around a “knuckle” of the fallopian tube that has been elevated and a segment is resected (cut out). The cut ends close as the tube heals. As the suture dissolves, the two tubal segments pull apart. Ligation and resection is currently the most popular form of sterilization for women. It is often performed during a cesarean delivery (C-section) or following a normal delivery.
Untying ‘Tied’ Tubes
A common misconception is that fertility can be restored by simply ‘untying’ the tubes. Tubal ligation reversal is not that simple. Tubal ligation and resection is reversed by opening the closed ends of the tubes and joining the tubal segments back together in perfect alignment using microsurgical techniques. Approximately 70% of patients at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center become pregnant after a reversal of a ligation and resection procedure.
Tubal Ligation and Resection Can Be Reversed
Many people believe tubal sterilization is permanent and irreversible. Although tubal ligation and resection sterilization is intended to be permanent, this procedure can be reversed. Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center is the medical facility that specializes in tubal ligation reversal. We are experts in reversing tubal ligations- or ‘untying’ tubes that have been ‘tied’!
Submitted by Dr. Charles Monteith
June 6th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
The illustrations of the Pomeroy procedure, as one example of “tying tubes”, is a helpful example in showing patients that the 2 parts of the tube can be joined together again to make one tube for travel of the sperm to the egg. Chapel Hill Surgery Center can make the possibility of pregnancy a reality.
May 28th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I am sure there are many people like myself who weren’t aware how common it is to have the procedure of having ones tubes untied. Fortunately,though there is much information that can be gotten through blog sites like those of Dr Monteith and Dr. Berger who are experts in the field.
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:53 am
The GOOD NEWS is that approximately 70% of women report pregnancy following tubal reversal from this procedure. Women who thought this was a permanent condition find they are able to have children again.
May 20th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Great job of explaining “untying” tied tubes. I hope this helps couples better understand the tubal reversal procedure at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Out of all the tubal reversals we do we see the ligation and resection procedure most. This blog does an excellent job showing patients exactly what was done during their tubal ligation and how it can be reversed.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:19 am
We see the ligation – resection method quite often. Thanks Dr Monteith for describing this type of tubal ligation, this will definitely be of help to women interested in getting their tubes untied.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Thank you for another informative blog post! It is so helpful to have the illustrations of the ligations as well as the written description. This way patients can really have a clear picture of how their ligation was performed and how it will be reversed.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:12 am
This is great information for women who are interested in tubal reversal surgery. I think that this allows them to understand what they had done and the fact that all different types of ligations are reversed everyday by the tubal reversal specialists at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Thank you for the informative diagrams and description of the Pomeroy method. This is definitely one of the most common types of tubal ligations that can be reversed and usually leads to good outcomes of pregnancy following surgery.
May 20th, 2008 at 6:25 am
I think it says al ot about Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center that we are the only facility that collects and publishes pregnancy data. Without this information, how could a patient choose a doctor to perform the reversal surgery with fully informed consent? The Pomery Method is just one of many methods of tied tubes that we untie every day. Thanks for the information, Dr. Montieth.
May 19th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Thank you, Dr. Monteith, for your blog post on tubal ligation and resection. Anyone interested in learning about pregnancy rates after tubal ligation reversal should study the pregnancy statistics on our website. Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center is the only medical facility that publishes pregnancy reports and pregnancy statistics for its patients.