Does Tubal Reversal Work?
Posted On: Monday, April 20th, 2009
Yes. Tubal reversal surgery does work.
Dr. Berger and Dr. Monteith of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center exclusively perform tubal surgery to reverse tubal ligation and to restore normal function of fallopian tubes closed due to scar tissue.
Extensive Experience With Tubal Reversal Surgery
The statistics used in this article are from the six year data base (2007 Tubal Reversal Pregnancy Report) of tubal ligation reversal surgeries performed at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. The data base is comprised of over 4,000 patients who have undergone tubal surgery at our center.
Tubal Reversal Has a High Pregnancy Rate
We ask our patients to self-report all pregnancies to us through our Early Pregnancy Monitoring and Report Protocol. Using this information we are able to determine the success of our tubal reversal surgeries.
The chart above demonstrates the majority of our patients will report a positive pregnancy test after a tubal ligation reversal. Approximately 70% ( 2 out of 3 ) of our patients will report a positive pregnancy test. Pregnancy rates can be as high as 80% depending on the method of tubal ligation.
Pregnancy Outcomes After Tubal Ligation Reversal
We have an extensive system to track the outcomes of all reported pregnancies. Once a report is submitted, our nursing staff follows up with our patients to ensure our patients are doing well, are following our early pregnancy protocol, and getting their pregnancy off to a good, healthy start.
The chart above demonstrates the outcomes of all the self reported pregnancies. Approximately one-third of all reported pregnancy will be healthy and successful, one-forth will end inmiscarriage, and 10% will have an ectopic pregnancy. The majority of ectopic pregnancies can be treated with methotrexate medication.
Our website has more extensive information regarding pregnancy outcomes based both on type of tubal ligation and age of the patient.
On Tubal Reversal And IVF Pregnancy Success Rates
We have previously published extensive information about pregnancy rates after IVF as well as IVF risks and IVF benefits. Moreover, we have also presented statistics on the average chance of of IVF success as well as the chance of IVF success in older women using either nondonor and donor eggs.
In general, the average chance of success per cycle of IVF is one in three. As a woman ages, the chance of success with IVF decreases every year. When eggs are donated from a woman under 30 years of age, the average chance of success for an IVF pregnancy can be as high as 50%.
Is Tubal Reversible Sensible?
The statistics in this article provide an overview of the success of tubal reversal surgery. Overall, tubal ligation reversal is comparable, if not superior, to IVF.
Our previous article, On Tubal Reversal : IVF Or Sterilization Reversal, discussed the high success of IVF when donor eggs are used. Although IVF using donor eggs is more successful in obtaining pregnancy for many women, IVF using donor eggs is not as common as using one’s own eggs because:
Most couples want to have their own genetic offspring.
Using donor eggs greatly increases the cost of the IVF treatment.
Most patients come to us to have their tubes untied because the procedure is more affordable and less complicated than IVF. Many of our patients do not want to subject themselves to the stress of the IVF and prefer the many chances over time that tubal surgery offers.
The high success, low cost, and simplicity of tubal reversal makes reversal surgery the preferred treatment for tubal blockage rather than IVF.
The next article in this series is a pregnancy testimonial submitted by a previous patient Dawne:Â Natural Pregnancy At 46 After Tubal Reversal.
The first article of this series is Tubal Ligation Reversal After Age 40: Introduction.
Tubal Reversal Support: Personal Reversal Stories
Many personal stories about having a tubal reversal can be found on our Tubal Reversal Blog. Readers are invited to join discussions with other women on our Tubal Reversal Message Board.
Submitted by Dr. Charles Monteith
April 20th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
The colorful charts are very clear. Thanks for the statistics and actual patient data. This is helpful information regarding tubal ligation reversal.
April 21st, 2009 at 6:27 am
Another great blog. I love the charts..what a wonderful way to see our success rates!
April 21st, 2009 at 9:27 am
I love that there are now stats on not only pregnancies, but of the m/c’s and ectopics that result from some of the pregnancies.
April 21st, 2009 at 9:54 am
Thank you Dr Monteith. I think the charts will help clarify this information for ladies inquiring about tubal ligation reversal.
April 24th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
[...] next article, Does Tubal Reversal Work?, will provide a comprehensive overview of the success of tubal reversal and directly compare rates [...]
June 19th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
I had my tubes tied 15 yeas ago but now I went to have a baby. I am 43 and have 4 kids age 23, 20, 16, and the last one will be 15 in September. Can you please help me?
June 19th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
BECKY – Call (919) 968-4656 to speak with a Tubal Reversal Nurse and she will help answer any questions you may have about getting your tubes untied. Also, our website page on Getting Started will give you all the information you may want to have about getting your tubes untied at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.
August 10th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
[...] those who are looking at the financial aspect between tubal reversal surgery and IVF this can be extremely difficult. For many just one round of IVF treatment here in the United States [...]
April 7th, 2010 at 11:25 am
[...] Tubal reversal performed in the hospital is also much more expensive. When the surgeon tells you the price of tubal reversal it is only his/her cost. There are other costs that hospital will bill you [...]
November 2nd, 2010 at 2:36 am
what is the most you can weigh to get the reverssal procedure done? I am very interested and would love to have another child with my fiance who has none.
November 2nd, 2010 at 4:06 am
The maximum weight for tubal reversal depends upon your height. Look at the BMI Table for your height in inches – if your weight puts you in the red zone, then you will need to lose weight to get into the yellow zone.