What is tubal reversal surgery?

Tubal reanastomosis surgery is performed either through a laparoscopy or a laparotomy. Under magnification from special operating lenses or a microscope, both obstructed ends of the fallopian tubes are transected (cut transversely), then the inner portion, called the muscularis, of both segments of the tube, and then the outer layers, called the tubal serosa, are tied together. Dye is then injected through the cervix to demonstrate patency of each reapproximated tube.

The hospital stay may be as short as one or two nights. Postoperative recovery may take three to six weeks. The price is somewhere around $7-10,000, and it's usually not paid for by insurance companies. The success rate of a tubal reanastomosis depends on four major factors:

• The original surgery is done for the tubal ligation (you should get a copy of the operative report describing the surgical method used in the original procedure) and the remaining length of the fallopian tube. Tubal reanastomosis surgery is more successful after tubal sterilization performed by segmental resection or the placement of fallope rings or clips.
• Adequate tubal length (pregnancy is least likely to occur in women with shortened fallopian tubes of less than 4 cm).
• The male partner's sperm.
• The quality of the eggs.
For patients who do not meet these requirements, in-vitro fertilization may be a better alternative.