August 10th, 2009 
A recent tubal ligation reversal patient, Briana, traveled to Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center to relieve herself of the guilt over her tubal ligation. Since she is a medical professional in a small town, Briana asked us not use her real name or picture to maintain her privacy.
She eagerly shared her story about her tubal ligation and her reasons for wanting reversal of her sterilization.
Briana is the mother of six children. Her husband is also a medical professional and the father of all of their children. Together, they live in Charleston, New Hampshire. Here is Briana’s story… Read the rest of this article and comment on it. »
January 6th, 2009 
Specializing in tubal surgery and the treatment of infertility in women who have had tubal ligations (tubes tied), we meet many patients who share many different stories with us. In the fall of 2008, I was conducting a preoperative evaluation with a patient for a tubal ligation reversal after she had an unsuccessful IVF treatment cycle. Here is her story.
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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.
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December 22nd, 2008 The tubal reversal doctors at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center perform over 800 tubal ligation reversals every year. We perform tubal reversals on patients from all over the United States and across the world. We have become experts in unblocking blocked tubes.
Every one of our patients brings with them a unique story. Periodically, we like to present their stories so readers can see the diverse walks of life from which our patients come.
On December 1st 2008, I meet Dorinda and asked her if she would participate in our Tubal Reversal Blog. She agreed and here is her story:
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May 17th, 2008 History of Tubal Sterilization
The first tubal sterilization method was tubal ligation and resection, reported in 1881! Ligation and resection- or ‘tying tubes’ was the most common surgery for sterilization until the advent of laparoscopic surgery in the mid 1900’s. As laparoscopic surgery became more popular, electrocoagulation (electrical burning) of the fallopian tubes became a popular method of female sterilization.
Tubal Electrocoagulation Results in Burned Tubes
The first description of laparoscopic electrocoagulation, in 1962, used a type of electrical current termed monopolar current – hence the term monopolar tubal coagulation. This sterilization procedure uses electric current to destroy part of the fallopian tube. The burned part of the tube turns into scar tissue and the remaining tubal segments are separated and blocked. This was a very popular form of laparoscopic sterilization from 1970 until the early 1980’s.
Although monopolar electrocautery is a very effective form of tubal sterilization, studies showed that it had a higher complication rate than for electrocoagulation using bipolar current, where the damage to the fallopian tube (or other structures) is more easily restricted. Sterilization procedures done by monopolar current are gradually decreasing and being replaced with bipolar current. Monopolar cautery, however, is still used for tubal sterilization by some doctors.
Can Burned Tubes Be Repaired?
Patients often ask whether burned tubes can be repaired. In most cases, monopolar electrocoagulation sterilization procedures can be reversed. The success of reversal is dependent on the amount of fallopian tube that has been damaged by the electrocautery. This information is usually available in the tubal ligation operative report. When in doubt, a screening laparoscopy can be performed. Approximately 50% of patients at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center will become pregnant after a reversal of a monopolar coagulation sterilization procedure.
Many people, including doctors, have been told that tubal sterilization is permanent and irreversible. Although monopolar tubal coagulation is intended to be permanent, this procedure is usually revesible. The best place for women to have their tubes ‘untied’ when they have been burned is Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center – the only medical facility that specializes in reversal of tubal ligation.
Submitted by Dr. Charles Monteith
