MacDonald Fertility and IVF Program has a successful program to reconnect your tubes after having a tubal sterilization. The microscopic operation is done through a “mini-bikini” incision. This allows you to go home the day of surgery and greatly decreases the cost of the operation.

Approach
The mini-bikini incision is approximately two inches long. The ends of the tubes are microscopically reconnected in a procedure that takes three- to four-hour. Most patients can go back to full activity (except heavy lifting or exercise) in four to seven days.

Risks
Complications, such as injury to bladder or intestines, infection or serious bleeding are very uncommon, and occur in less than 1/100 surgeries.  Of those who get pregnant, a tubal pregnancy will occur in up to 5%.

Success Rate
Tubes remaining open: The tubes we have reconnected over the last 15 years have remained open in greater than 95 percent of patients. 

Pregnancy Rates: The chances of getting pregnant after tubal ligation reversal depend on your age, and the length of your tubes. The length of tube left depends on the type of tubal ligation previously performed. 

The best pregnancy rates (>70%) are for women les  than 30 year old who have had laparoscopic clips applied or had their tubes tied immediately after delivery. The lowest success rates (<10%) are for women over 40 year old.

What information is needed prior to surgery?
The doctor will review your medical and surgical history with you. Prior to surgery, it is recommended that we obtain:
 A copy of your operative report from your tubal ligation, so that the chance of success can be estimated for you. 

 It is recommended, but not required that your husband get a semen analysis to make sure he does not have a low count.  We also recommend that the uterine cavity be evaluated using a hysterosalpingogram x-ray procedure.

If you have any of this information, please bring it to your first visit. 

Pre-operative Laparoscopy
Prior to doing the surgery, we will inside with a laparoscope placed through your navel, since this is the most accurate way to estimate your chances of success prior to surgery.

Women who are not a candidate for the “mini-bikini” incision approach:

• Women weighing more than 200 pounds (some exceptions for tall women)
• Women older than 45 years of age
• Women with serious medical conditions will need medical clearance for both surgery AND pregnancy.