Tubal Ligation Is Reversible

Reality check

Tubal ligation is the second most common birth-control method, chosen by more than 12 million American women. Each year 650,000 female sterilizations are performed in the United States. Yet, studies have shown a significant percentage of women have a change of heart later on. This most commonly happens after remarriage or after the loss of a child. For these women, there are two options: tubal reversal surgery or in vitro fertilization.

In last month's Triangle Physician article "Regret Turns to Hope with Tubal Ligation Reversal," Dr. Berger also reports on the reasons why only a small percentage of women who desire a tubal reversal actually undergo the procedure. One is lack of insurance coverage. Another is lack of accurate information about it, such as women being told (often by their physician) that:

• "Tubal ligation cannot be reversed";
• "The only treatment option is in vitro fertilization (IVF)"; or,
• "Tubal sterilization reversal is a high cost in-hospital operation."

Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center sets the record straight. Tubal ligation is reversible, although it is a delicate microsurgical procedure. When performed at this dedicated outpatient facility, tubal reversal is more cost-effective—even with travel expenses included—than inpatient tubal reversal or IVF. The Chapel Hill center's all-inclusive fee is $5,900, with an average 70 percent pregnancy rate. In contrast, the average cost for IVF exceeds $10,000 per cycle with only a 30 percent chance of pregnancy.

The primary benefit of tubal reversal surgery is its high cumulative pregnancy rate because conception is possible in every subsequent ovulation cycle, says Dr. Berger. Tubal ligation reversal also avoids the increased risk of multiple pregnancies associated with IVF (35 percent) and other risks of gonadotropin stimulation of the ovaries.

Tubal reversal has a long-term risk of ectopic pregnancy (10 percent to 15 percent), depending on the type of tubal sterilization method. Because of this increased risk—compared with the baseline rate of 3 percent in the general population—Drs. Berger and Monteith instruct patients to notify them as soon as they have a positive pregnancy test. Their early pregnancy testing protocol can prevent the risk of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy.

There is an approximate 5 percent likelihood that one or both of a patient's fallopian tubes may become blocked again after the reversal. When one healthy tube is open, pregnancy can occur. Should both become blocked, repeat surgery is offered at a reduced fee in appropriate cases, such as when there is sufficient fallopian tube length and health. Despite the benefits of tubal reversal, interest within the medical community has turned to assisted-reproductive technology.

"What I hear from many patients is that they have been advised to go straight to IVF, which is more expensive and complicated, besides being less effective than tubal reversal for most patients," says Dr. Berger. For the Hirschmans, IVF was not an option because of the risk of multiple births. In their research of NYC ob/gyns, they found tubal reversal surgery to be expensive, between $18,000 and $20,000, and involved. It also required scheduling four months in advance, multiple office visits, a hospital stay and longer recovery. Eventually, the Hirschmans were referred to three physicians—one in Chicago and one in Florida, in addition to Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. After an Internet search and phone calls, the couple chose Dr. Berger.

"Most of all, why we were willing to travel the distance, we wanted to find a surgeon who does tubal reversal for a living, rather than once in awhile, so the procedure is basically easy," says Ms. Hirschman.

Berger Babies and Database: Tubes Can Be Untied
Table Of Contents:

1. Tubes Can Be Untied
2. Tubal Reversal Specialists
3. Tubal Ligation Is Reversible (this page)
4. Reversing Tubal Ligation
5. Drs. Berger and Monteith

• Who We Are
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• Dr. Monteith
• VIP Questions
• Tubal Reversal Explained
• Ligation Illustrations
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• I'm Pregnant
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Website updated May 25th, 2012 ©

Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center

109 Conner Drive Suite 2200, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 968-4656    

http://www.tubal-reversal.net/tubal-ligation-is-reversible.htm  was last modified on May 2nd, 2011 00:07:07