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Risks of Tubal Reversal Surgery

RISKS OF
TUBAL REVERSAL SURGERY

Tubal reversal surgery can be more affordable and more successful than in-vitro fertilization. Tubal reversal surgery performed at A Personal Choice is an extremely safe outpatient surgical procedure. In our experience tubal reversal is one of the safest major gynecologic procedures with the lowest complication rates.

We keep a close eye on our operative complications. When you come to our practice you can be assured you will be getting the best care possible from a team dedicated to providing safe surgery. Our team is focused on our patients’ surgical safety and pregnancy success.

Our complication rates demonstrate surgery at our facility is safe and the risk of any major complication is low.


Tubal Reversal Complications

  • Blood Transfusion 0%
  • Major surgical site infections <0.5%
  • Minor surgical site infections <2%
  • Early operative/Anesthesia complications <0.5%
  • Unanticipated MD visit after surgery <2%

All patients are evaluated during scheduling for health conditions, which can increase the risk of surgery. Experienced anesthesia providers and nurses who are dedicated to the care of tubal surgery patients care for patients and all surgeries are performed by Dr. Monteith who has over 15 years of surgical experience in a variety of health care settings.

Meet Dr. Monteith

As a surgeon my reputation & integrity are extremely important to me. I’ve been providing new choices & new beginnings since 2008. I’ve had the distinct privilege of being the first surgeon in the world to report successful pregnancy within the peer reviewed medical literature after reversal of transcervical hysteroscopic tubal sterilization. Permanent is not forever at my practice! HAVE QUESTIONS?

Tubal Ligation Reversal

Main Risk

No surgical procedure or medical treatment is without risk. The main risk of tubal ligation reversal surgery is not surgery, but rather the increased risk of ectopic (tubal) pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is any pregnancy, which attempts to implant and grow at any location outside of the uterus. The most common location of an ectopic pregnancy is within the fallopian tube.

Any woman can have an ectopic pregnancy. The risk of ectopic pregnancy in the general population is less than 3%. The risk of ectopic pregnancy is increased after any condition that disturbs the normal function of the fallopian tube. Even when the fallopian tubes are perfectly repaired and open after reversal surgery the risk of ectopic pregnancy is increased.

The chance of ectopic pregnancy after tubal reversal is approximately 10%. If an ectopic pregnancy is not detected early then tubal rupture can occur if the pregnancy is allowed to grow within the tube without treatment.

More information Tubal reversal risks: An easy explanation


Our Recommendations After Reversal Surgery

We propose a several step management plan to monitor our patients for the increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.

  1. We advise our patients to have close follow-up with their local physicians after reversal surgery and before pregnancy occurs.
  2. We will help facilitate our patient’s appointment with their local physician by sending a letter with our recommendations and a copy of the operative report soon after surgery. We will also provide patients with the same information.
  3. We ask patients to report pregnancies to our office as soon as they are detected.
  4. We encourage patients to see their local doctor soon after they detect pregnancy in order to begin early pregnancy monitoring.
  5. We recommend an early vaginal ultrasound as soon as the early pregnancy monitoring suggests a pregnancy should be visualized.
  6. If early monitoring diagnoses an ectopic pregnancy then we recommend medical treatment with Methotrexate medication, which can minimize the risk associated with ectopic pregnancy.

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Early Pregnancy Monitoring

Decreasing Risk of Ectopic Pregnancy

The best way to determine the location of an early pregnancy is with blood testing for the pregnancy hormone (quantitative serum HCG). Using this testing the location and health of an early pregnancy can often be determined before a pregnancy is seen during an ultrasound exam.

We recommend monitoring your early pregnancy with quantitative serum HCG blood tests every 48 hours and having a vaginal ultrasound exam when your HCG (pregnancy hormone) level reaches 2000. This testing should be started soon after you first detect pregnancy and can be stopped as soon as the location of the pregnancy is determined.

When the pregnancy hormone level reaches 2000, a vaginal ultrasound exam will show a gestational sac (early pregnancy) within the uterus in a normally developing intrauterine pregnancy.

If your ultrasound exam does not reveal a pregnancy inside your uterus, you should have a repeat HCG level and have another vaginal ultrasound exam within 2 or 3 days. Sometimes the early pregnancy may not be seen until HCG level is about 2500 depending upon the quality of the equipment and experience of the person performing your ultrasound examination.

If the early pregnancy is not seen inside the uterus when the HCG level is above 2000, then the pregnancy is abnormal and likely to be either a tubal pregnancy or a pregnancy that will eventually miscarry.

Because the risk of tubal pregnancy is approximately 10-15% after tubal surgery, it is important to notify your obstetrician-gynecologist and follow the Early Pregnancy Monitoring protocol to determine the location and health of the early pregnancy.

A tubal pregnancy cannot lead to a live birth and must be treated. Following the recommended Early Pregnancy Monitoring Protocol is the best way to minimize the risk of tubal rupture, preserve the health of your fallopian tubes, and avoid surgery to remove the tubal pregnancy.


Reason for Early Pregnancy Monitoring

The rationale for early pregnancy monitoring is to prevent a tubal pregnancy from progressing to the point of rupturing the fallopian tube. Rupture of the fallopian tube results in internal bleeding and requires emergency surgery, often resulting in loss of the fallopian tube. In the absence of ultrasound evidence of an intrauterine pregnancy, early treatment with Methotrexate is recommended to end the tubal pregnancy pregnancy. After Methotrexate administration, serum HCG levels should be monitored until the HCG level returns to less than 10 mIU/dL.


Early Pregnancy Monitoring: Key Concepts

The key concepts to understanding HCG pregnancy hormone testing and ultrasound exams are:

  • In a normal pregnancy the HCG levels should double every 48 hours
  • In a normal pregnancy the pregnancy should clearly be seen inside the uterus when the HCG level is above 2000
  • If the HCG levels are not doubling or the pregnancy is not seen inside the uterus when the HCG levels are above 2000 then the pregnancy is abnormal, possibly in the fallopian tube, and will not lead to a live birth

Have Questions? We’re Happy To Help!

We provide a unique surgical experience with personalized attention and one-on-one care. We make every effort to make your surgery less of a process and more of a life’s experience. Please use the buttons below for answers to our frequently asked questions.

What Our Patients Are Saying

“We had our surgery on 3/18/15 and on 02/02/16 our 7 pound 11 oz baby girl was born! I’m 34 years old and had tubal ligation done via clamps 8 years prior so this surgery really does work! 8 years later I had the reversal and 9 years later we were blessed with our little girl! So many doctors tried to talk us out of it-wanted us to do IVF to get our money-however praise God we went with this because it does WORK! Dr M is amazing and his staff! The area is beautiful where his office is, and if you do this procedure it will be the best money you ever spend!”

– Charlee-Belle M., Surgery

“From the very first phone call, the staff at A Personal Choice has been amazing! They have answered our numerous questions, concerns and have been amazing. They never give you false hope, but give you the complete story. I am so happy that we chose Dr. Monteith and his staff to make our dreams a reality. Can’t wait to start trying to have a baby. I would and have recommended Dr. Monteith to ANYONE wanting a tubal ligation or vasectomy reversal. Thank you all so much for giving us this chance!”

– Angela W., Essure Reversal

“Excellent service overall! Each stage of the process was carefully explained in great detail: how the procedure works, what to expect during the procedure, what to expect after, possible side effects. Dr. Monteith himself is very knowledgeable and experienced and quite personable too. He has a great sense of humor and uses it generously to put patients at ease. I highly recommend him and his staff to anyone considering either a vasectomy or a vasectomy reversal.”

Chris B., Vasectomy Reversal

“The perfect little angel that I’m holding in my arms right now is the best testament to what Dr. Monteith and his staff do for people. We could not be happier with our decision to use Dr. Monteith. His staff are just amazing. Our entire experience was just a dream! Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you!”

Jamie B., Reversal of Cut & Tied Tubes

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Ask The Doctor

Your questions about reversal surgery will be answered directly and promptly by Dr. Monteith. Please read our most frequently asked questions before submitting your questions. Dr. Monteith will not respond to general medical questions or if you are a patient of another doctor and are contacting him because your doctor is unavailable.* If you have been a patient at our reversal center and have specific questions about your medical care you should contact the reversal staff directly at (919) 977-5050.

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Have a Question? Drop Us A Line!

If you are considering reversal surgery and have questions about the procedure, fill in the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as we can! If you would like to speak with a nurse for a Free Consultation then feel free to call us at (919) 977-5050.

Please view our most frequently asked questions before sending your questions.

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