Robotic Tubal Ligation Reversal: Advice
Robotic tubal ligation reversal is the newest technology available for reversal of sterilization.
In these articles, we have explained the basic concept behind robotic surgery and presented the most current medical studies on robotic tubal reversal.
Now the tubal reversal specialists of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center would like to present opinions on the current state of robotic tubal surgery.
We can say with some certainty robotic tubal reversal is a surgical innovation which will have a short life expectancy. The future is very limited for robotic tubal ligation reversal.
Robotic Reversal Surgery: Not Indicated
Robotic reversal surgery is not an indicated surgical application for the robotic system. The company which manufactures the robotic system, Intuitive Surgical, does not even list tubal ligation reversal surgery as an indicated robotic gynecologic surgery.
The company also acknowledges in a disclaimer the robotic system is not applicable to all surgeries, individual results may vary, and patients should carefully discuss the appropriateness of robotic surgery with their physician.
It is very likely the company understands the next two very important factors when it comes to robotic reversal surgery.
Robotic Tubal Reversal: Cost
Robotic tubal reversal is very expensive. This is the number one reason why robotic tubal reversal will never have a viable future. The majority of health insurance plans do not cover the cost of any type of sterilization reversal and many patients have to pay the full cost of reversal surgery.
In the previous article, Robotic Tubal Ligation Reversal: Medical Studies, one medical study estimated the cost of robotic reversal at $94,500! Since health insurance does not cover the costs of tubal ligation reversal patients have to cover the cost of their surgery.
Many people will not be able to afford an elective surgery which is as expensive as robotic tubal reversal.
Robotic Reversal: Pregnancy Success?
Robotic reversal surgery is not more successful in providing pregnancy success when compared to laparoscopic or traditional abdominal incision tubal ligation reversal. In fact, the opposite may be true.
Studies on robotic reversal (Robotic Tubal Ligation Reversal: Medical Studies) suggested the chance of an abnormal or ectopic pregnancies was increased after robotic reversal. Most importantly there was no increase in the overall pregnancy success rate when the surgery was done with a robot. To be fair, these robotic reversal studies had small numbers of patients and more study on robotic tubal reversal must be done to determine if robotic reversal provides good pregnancy success.
Why would patients want to pay for an expensive surgery which provides outcomes no better, possibly worse, than the traditional form of tubal ligation reversal?
Robotic Sterilization Reversal: Advantages
Robotic sterilization reversal has one advantage over traditional abdominal incision tubal reversal: smaller abdominal incisions which decrease the need for over-night hospital stays and allow quicker return to normal activities.
Since we started performing outpatient tubal reversal surgery, we realized the advantage of using small incisions during tubal reversal surgery. We have pioneered out-patient tubal reversal surgery done through small abdominal incisions.
Our patients have small incisions, like those of the robotic tubal reversal patients, and our patients return to normal activities within 5-7 days. Our patients experience the same advantages, with a far lower cost, as do patients of robotic sterilization reversal.
Tubal Reversal Incisions: Our Approach
Since 2000, we have performed over 7,000 out-patient tubal reversal surgeries at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.
We have pioneered techniques, which allow this surgery to be performed efficiently, safely, and through small abdominal incisions.
We have always realized the smaller the incision the more comfortable a patient is and the quicker the post-operative recovery. All of our incisions are smaller than a c-section incision and many of our incisions are smaller than the length of a credit card.
Affordable Tubal Reversal: Our Mission
Affordable tubal reversal needs to be the primary focus when trying to make sterilization reversal attainable by patients.
According to the study cited in the previous article, in-patient hospital tubal ligation reversal exceeded $90,000 and the cost of robotic reversal exceed $94,000. Many patients who travel to see us report the cost of having out-patient tubal reversal in their areas to be in excess of $25,000.
Affordable tubal reversal has been our emphasis since began providing tubal reversal surgery over twenty years ago. The average cost of a tubal reversal at our center at the time of this publication is $5,400-5,900. We are constantly giving attention to affordable tubal reversal.
Untying Tied Tubes: Our Mission
Our mission at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center is to provide our patients with a safe and affordable chance to reverse their sterilizations. We have long recognized reversal surgery will never be available to many if it can only be afforded by a few.
We have dedicated our facility to the exclusive provision of tubal surgery. We have streamlined our surgery to be efficient and safe. Our patients leave our surgical center the same day with small incisions and many return to work within 5-7 days.
We provide the same advantages to our patients as do providers of robotic tubal ligation reversal with two exceptions: our reversal surgery is far more affordable than robotic reversal and after 7,000 tubal reversals we have consistently demonstrated a high degree of pregnancy success.
Submitted by Dr. Charles Monteith
September 25th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Great article!!! I have been looking into ALL options and one of the places I would have been able to go that is local uses a robot! I am so glad to know these facts. How scary that the robot is not even intended to do such a surgery. All the more reason to keep my sights set on CHTRC for my reversal! Thanks Dr. Monteith!!
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:41 am
This was a great article and very informative about robotic tubal reversal. It will help patients with their decision of TR procedures.
September 9th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Interesting article, Dr. Monteith, on the pros and cons of robotic surgery for tubal ligation reversal. Tubal reversal performed by the hands of the most experienced surgeons like you and Dr. Berger already has the best appeal to me.
September 6th, 2009 at 10:07 am
[...] In the next article in this series, Robotic Tubal Ligation Reversal, I will provide my opinion on robotic tubal ligation reversal compared to the out-patient tubal reversal procedure at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. [...]
September 2nd, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Another terrific example of how our surgeons strive for patient education. Our blog topics continue to be interesting, educational, and sometimes very touching. This allows our patients and those considering coming to Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center to make informed decisions about their medical care.
Thank you Dr Monteith,
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:49 am
This information will help many women make a more informed decision about their tubal reversal options.
September 1st, 2009 at 9:46 pm
There are definitely advantages and disadvantages to any type of procedure. I think this article will help those who have questions regarding tubal reversal done by robot.
September 1st, 2009 at 1:06 pm
We celebrate the use of new techniques, like robotic surgery. However, the added expense, set up time, and extended anesthesia time are significant disadvantages for patients of the Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. Dr. Berger and Dr. Monteith are always looking at ways to improve the overall surgical experience. Thanks for the article clarifying issues related to tubal reversal and robotic surgery.
September 1st, 2009 at 9:36 am
I am sure this information will promote a lot of good discussion about traditional tubal reversal and robotic tubal reversal. I have to wonder how a robot could possibly compete with the expertise of Dr. Gary Berger and Dr. Charles Monteith.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Sarah
Your point is well taken. Overall robotic surgeries are very safe and malfunctions are rare. The main problem is they take too long (prolonging exposure to anesthesia) and they are very expensive.
August 31st, 2009 at 9:42 am
Personally I wouldn’t have wanted my tubal reversal done by a robot. It’s a very delicate procedure and I wouldn’t want to risk a computer error or a robot malfunction and have an unsuccessful tubal reversal!