IVF Alternative | Tubal Surgery
Posted On: Wednesday, December 31st, 2008
Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center offers an excellent alternative to in vitro fertilization (IVF) – namely, tubal surgery to untie tubes and correct tubal blockage. If you have had your fallopian tubes tied (tubal ligation) or have blocked tubes and want to become pregnant, then tubal surgery may be the best treatment for you.
Reconstructive Tubal Surgery
Tubal surgery is the alternative to IVF for treating infertility resulting from tubal blockage due to scar tissue or adhesions. Tubal blockage may result from a pelvic infection (pelvic inflammatory disease or PID), endometriosis, or previous surgery. In these cases, the fallopian tubes can be repaired by removing the adhesions and opening the blocked end of the fallopian tubes. This operation is called salpingostomy. Salpingostomy is most effective for tubes blocked at their fimbrial end which is next to the ovary.
Some women have blocked fallopian tubes due to an inflammatory condition termed salpingitis isthmica nodosa (SIN). This condition causes tubal scarring and blockage at the proximal or isthmic portion of tube that is adjacent to the uterine wall. The operation to correct proximal tubal occlusion is tubal implantation. Tubal implantation is also used for Essure reversal.
Further discussion of fallopian tube diseases and corrective tubal surgery, also called tuboplasty, can be found in this Tubal Reversal Blog article – Fallopian Tube Repair.
Reversal of Tubal Ligation
There are several reasons why tubal ligation reversal is a better alternative to IVF to restore fertility after tubal ligation:
1) Tubal Reversal Has a Higher Success Rate Than IVF
The overall pregnancy success rate after tubal ligation reversal is 70% at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. In comparison, the average IVF success rate throughout the United States is 30% for each attempt. Success rates with tubal ligation reversal can be as high as 80% if the fallopian tubes were blocked with tubal clips or tubal rings.
The pregnancy success rates for 2007 tubal ligation reversal by patient age, method, and tubal segment lengths have been documented in the Tubal Reversal Pregnancy Study that is ongoing at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.
Many women who chose to have a reversal procedure to ‘untie their tied tubes’ will become pregnant. These women will then be able to have additional pregnancies if they desire.
2) Tubal Reversal is More Affordable Than IVF
The cost of tubal reversal is between $4900-6900 at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. Even with the added costs of travel, tubal reversal surgery at our facility is cheaper than the average cost of a single cycle of IVF.
The average cost of a cycle of IVF is between $9000-12000 for a 30% chance of pregnancy. Some patients may have to undergo as many as three cycles of IVF to obtain a single pregnancy. For some couples, IVF can become a very expensive endeavor.
3) Tubal Reversal is More Natural Than IVF
Tubal ligation reversal at our center involves a one-hour surgical procedure to reverse the initial sterilization procedure. We have developed a safe and effective approach to out patient tubal reversal surgery. We use a small incision to minimize discomfort. Our patients then stay overnight in the local Sheraton hotel and are seen by a Tubal Reversal Nurse the next day and discharged home. Patients can attempt pregnancy when they feel comfortable. Some patients become pregnant within two weeks of surgery and most will become pregnant within a year of their tubal reversal.
Many women have the added feeling of being normal again after their tubes are put back together. For many of our patients, this feeling is equally as important as their desire to become pregnant. Many women tell us they want to be back as God intended them.
Couples who have a successful tubal ligation reversal can become pregnant more than one time, naturally, and have as many children as they would like.
IVF involves the use of high dosages of hormones over several weeks. These hormones cause many eggs to be produced. The eggs are then removed from the woman’s body and mixed with the partner’s sperm. After fertilization outside the body, the fertilized eggs (zygotes) are then replaced inside the woman’s uterus. If implantation into the uterine lining is not successful, then the process must be started over again. If a pregnancy does occur, IVF still must be repeated in the future if additional children are desired.
When is IVF the Better Alternative?
IVF is a better alternative than tubal surgery for women with extensive disease from PID or endometriosis, or for women whose partners have severely abnormal sperm. When combined with the use of donor eggs (eggs from another woman in her twenties), donor egg IVF has a higher pregnancy rate for women in their forties or older.
Tubal Ligation Reversal is a Better Alternative to IVF Overall
For most women, tubal ligation reversal is better than IVF. Pregnancy success rates are higher and it is less expensive than IVF. Once fertility is restored after tubal surgery, pregnancy can occur naturally in any cycle without further treatment. Many couples may wish to have more than one child after their treatment. This is possible after tubal ligation reversal. With IVF, each attempt to become pregnant requires a new cycle of treatment, unless frozen embryos are available for subsequent uterine transfer.
Our Mission
Dr. Berger and Dr. Monteith offer a simple outpatient surgical procedure to repair blocked tubes or tied tubes that is not only more successful, but also less expensive, than IVF. This is the mission of the tubal reversal doctors and staff at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. It is the reason why women travel here from all over the world to have their fallopian tubes repaired.
December 31st, 2008 at 8:02 pm
how much does it cost to have tubel reverse
January 1st, 2009 at 9:33 am
Tubal reversal with Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center currently cost $4900. You can call or email the office for more information.
January 1st, 2009 at 1:16 pm
[...] When to Choose IVF versus Tubal Reversal [...]
January 5th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
We have so many patients who have told us these same things. All of our patients have done extensive research before choosing tubal reversal surgery over IVF. Tubal Surgery offered so much more “bang for their buck”, their choice was easy.
January 5th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
With the cost for a tubal reversal averaging $4900-$6900 and a success rate of 70% and IVF averaging $9000-$12000 with only a 30% success rate it is hard to understand why IVF is so popular. On top of that, after a tubal reversal a woman has a chance to become pregnant every month after surgery whereas IVF (at $9000-$12000)has to be done with every menstrual cycle a woman wants to try to attempt a pregnancy. It seems that for a vast majority of the population tubal reversal is the way to go!
January 6th, 2009 at 11:02 am
One great thing about tubal reversal is that it’s a one time payment, and you can try and concieve as many children as you like. IVF is so expensive each time you want to try and have another child. Cost wise, tubal reversal is such a better choice. The success rates puts the choice over the top, to go from 30% with IVF up to 70%, it’s easy to see why women opt for the tubal reversal.
January 12th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
i just found out that my tubes are blocked with adhesions does health insurance cover the operation
January 12th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Typically health insurance will not pay for tubal corrective surgery if it is done for infertility. You must check with your insurance carrier to be sure.
January 13th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Are you able to have a tubal reversal if your tubes were burnt and not tied (in several locations)?
January 13th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
With bipolar coagulation, the tubes are usually burned in 2 or 3 places. These are reversible. If multiple burns were performed with monopolar coagulation, the tubes may or may not be repairable. Your operative report should be able to give information about the type of coagulation, number of burn sites, and how far apart they were. If it is not clear from the operative report, we offer the option of starting with laparoscopy to check the tubes and proceed with tubal reversal if they are repairable, or stop the procedure and issue a partial refund if they are not.
February 6th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
[...] ligation reversal is a less expensive alternative to IVF. When one considers that a successful tubal reversal also allows couples to become pregnant more [...]
March 23rd, 2009 at 7:31 am
[...] Tubal Surgery or IVF : Which Infertility Treatment? [...]
June 18th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
I have scars and adhesions with left tube proximal blockage. What would the cost be to have the repair of my tubes? I can be reached (424) 236-8289. Thanks in advance.
March 25th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
I wrote to your clinic quite sometime ago. You had sent me a form to send to my doctor regarding how much of the tube was left. They informed me that they no longer have the records in office and they were in archives, it was done in 1992. What do you suggest?
March 25th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Sharon – You can request a copy of the operative report from the hospital where your tubal ligation was performed. We offer the option of starting the tubal reversal procedure with a diagnostic laparoscopy.
September 1st, 2010 at 8:23 pm
[...] Through his efforts, tubal reversal surgery continues to thrive with high pregnancy success and his reversal surgery is more affordable than the alternative treatment of in-vitro fertilization. As a result, many couples have been able to realize their dreams of becoming pregnant after [...]
December 30th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
I had a tubal reversal in March 2010 at another clinic. After a few months of trying to get pregnant I had a HSG performed to see if my tubes were open, to find out that they were completely blocked. The doc who performed by reversal states that my tubes were cut close to the ends ?(follicles i assume) and that it was hard to repair. with this being said is it possible to open them? Or should I go ahead with IVF as planned?
December 31st, 2010 at 6:15 am
Pamela – The only way for me to be able to answer your question is to read the operative report from your tubal reversal operation and examine your HSG images.
March 23rd, 2011 at 10:28 am
What is the degree of success for pregnancy for someone that had undergone major operation on the process of removing ovarian cyst and currently facing bilateral tubal blockage?
March 23rd, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Chiko
It is difficult to answer your questions without reviewing your records and the reason for tubal blockage. You should send us your operative reports as well as your HSG x-ray images.
April 20th, 2011 at 6:48 pm
I just had laparoscopic surgery to see how much tube was left after my tubal ligation. My Dr here in Canada left me a note after surgery saying there is only 5mm left. I have no idea what this means. I am assuming there is not enough left for a reversal. Is IVF now my only option?
April 20th, 2011 at 7:27 pm
Noel – I recommend that you get a copy of your operative report. If you have 5 cm of tube left, tubal reversal will be successful. If only 5 mm, that means essentially the entire tube was destroyed, and in that case IVF will be your only treatment option.
April 21st, 2011 at 9:42 am
I have the tubal ligation operative report stating that a 3 cm section of the mid segment portion of each tube were resected. Thank you so much Dr. Berger for replying.
August 28th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
what if your tubes are tied, burnt and clipped..can you still have the tubal reversal?
August 28th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
It is possible to have a tubal reversal after your tubes have been tied, clipped, and burnt. It would be best to send us a copy of the operative report from your tubal ligation. You can use the Medical Records Release Form on our website for this.
September 27th, 2011 at 10:28 pm
My dr recommended a SIS over HSG and the report states that it is suspected that both the tubes are blocked since no fluid flowed into the tubes from uterus. Is SIS an effective diagnosis for tubal blockage and if so does this help to understand where the blockage is.
September 28th, 2011 at 7:28 am
In order to give you are accurate answer I need to be clear what do you mean when you say SIS? There are often many abbreviations for the same or similar procedure. If you mean saline infusion sonography that is not a good test for tubal blockage and does not provide complete information about the status of the tubes.
October 7th, 2011 at 10:45 pm
Thanks for the answer. I did mean Saline Infusion Sonography by SIS. In that case would you recommend to go in for a HSG test to reconfirm status of tubal blockage.
October 8th, 2011 at 8:01 am
Yes, HSG to be more certain.