Tubal Reversal Success Rate

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There are several factors that determine the success rate of tubal ligation reversal. Among these factors are:

  • The type of tubal ligation procedure that was originally performed. The type of tubal ligation procedure used will determine the best procedure for tubal reversal, and have a major impact on your chance of success.
     
  • The amount of damage caused by the original tubal ligation procedure directly correlates to the possible success of the tubal reversal procedure.
     
  • The age of the woman at the time she seeks tubal ligation reversal, women over 40 should discuss their personal chances of achieving success with their health care provider before choosing tubal ligation reversal

Women who make the best candidates for tubal ligation reversal are those whose tubal ligations included either the removal of a small section of the fallopian tubes, or those whose tubal ligation was achieved by clips or rings placed around the tubes to prevent eggs released during ovulation from traveling through the fallopian tubes.

Overall, success rates for tubal ligation reversal can vary from 20 - 70%.

 Tubal Reversal Procedures.

Before your health care provider can advise you about the potential for successful tubal ligation reversal, you will need to provide him with all the facts and records from your tubal ligation procedure. The type of tubal ligation procedure used will determine the best procedure for tubal reversal, and have a major impact on your chance of success.

The tubal ligation reversal procedure uses microsurgery to rejoin the two remaining sections of the fallopian tubes. Certain factors have a direct effect on the potential for a successful tubal reversal procedure. Because the fallopian tube's diameter varies from one end to the other, the best chance for success occurs when the diameters of the two remaining sections of fallopian tube are almost identical. In cases where the two remaining ends of the tubes are of different diameter (for example, a narrow end of tube close to the uterus is being connected to a wider end near the end of the fallopian tube), success rates for pregnancy are lower.

The ideal candidate for tubal ligation reversal is a woman who has nearly equal diameter of the remaining ends of the tubal sections, and whose tubes are at least three to four inches long following reversal of the tubal ligation. (Before tubal ligation the fallopian tubes are approximately eight inches long.)

The decision to undergo tubal ligation reversal should be carefully weighed against the potential for successful in vitro fertilization. Women who have little chance of successful tubal reversal should be advised to consider in vitro fertilization.

You should discuss your personal situation with your health care provider to determine your best option for achieving successful pregnancy either by tubal ligation reversal, or in vitro fertilization.