Sterilization Reversal

Can I Get A Tubal Ligation Reversal?

A tubal ligation reversal is requested by women who have undergone the tubal ligation surgery but, for one reason or another, now want to be able to get pregnant again. Just in case it wasn't clear, a tubal ligation is done to prevent pregnancy. Such a surgery is usually considered a permanent sterilization procedure.

However, a woman may have changed her mind and decided she now wants to have a child. This woman then needs to undergo a tubal ligation reversal surgery usually done by microsurgery.

In a tubal ligation, the fallopian tubes are cut and then generally the ends are clamped down with clips which leads to some minor scarring that prevents fertilizations. In a tubal reversal, the clips are removed and the ends of the tubes reunited. An extremely small stent can also be inserted into the tube during surgery to make sure there are no obstructions before the reuniting is done.

Some problems may become apparent during the pre-op phase or during the operation that could lead to lower chances of becoming pregnant after the tubal reversal surgery. One of these is that too much of the tubes were removed during the original procedure. A woman's chances of becoming pregnant are greater with longer tubes. Although the probability is lowered, even women with very short tubes can have a baby. It is not a lost cause.

Another problem is that the fallopian tubes actually vary in diameter throughout their length. The doctor doing the reversal will need to be very careful about making the connection properly to be sure the egg will be able to make the journey correctly to the uterus. There are highly skilled doctors who have performed thousands of these procedures and can do the job, but it is something to be aware of.

Other factors which may impact the tubal ligation reversal surgery are the age of the patient, the length of time since the original surgery was completed, how the original surgery was done (clips or some other method), and how much of the tubes were removed.

Copyright 2007, Sandra Wilson