All About Tubal Ligation Reversal

by Manika Khanna Gynecologist, Infertility & IVF Specialist

Tubal ligation is a surgery to tie a woman's fallopian tubes so eggs released from the ovaries cannot enter the uterus and sperm cannot reach the egg, preventing fertilization. Tubal ligation is performed to prevent pregnancy and is a common and permanent form of contraception.

What is Tubal Ligation Reversal?

Tubal Ligation Reversal or Tubal Reanastomosis, is a procedure where the fallopian tubes that were tied previously, are reconnected using Laparoscopic procedures. This allows the meeting of sperm and ovum leading to fertilization and allows the passage of fertilized ovum into the uterus for implantation.

This surgery is performed under general anesthesia using a laparoscope. The entire procedure takes around 2 to 3 hours.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria to be kept in mind before opting for this procedure include:

Age: Under 40 years is the ideal time period to opt for tubal ligation reversal. Above 40 years of age, the success rate rapidly decreases, although not completely ineffective.

Egg Quality and Quantity: Another factor that influences the suitability of a patient for tubal reversal is the quality and quantity of her eggs.

The type of tubal ligation surgery: Patients whose fimbriae (ends of the fallopian tubes) had been removed during ligation are unsuitable for the reversal. The infertility specialist after confirming this will provide suitable medical advice.

BMI: Having a BMI of 32 or below is best suited for this procedure.

Reproductive Health: Factors like endometriosis, and the presence of scar tissue or fibroids may also affect the decision to go ahead with Tubal Ligation Reversal.

The present condition: For a woman to attain a successful pregnancy after the reversal procedure, the length of the fallopian tube must at least be 4 inches.

Advantages

The benefits of Tubal Ligation Reversal include:

1. It revives the chances of attaining a natural pregnancy.

2. It provides an opportunity to conceive naturally, with minimal surgical intervention.

3. It is a more affordable and economical option.

4. Complications associated are less severe compared to others.

Disadvantage

Complications involved in tubal ligation reversal are:

1. Bleeding in and around the area of the incision during the procedure.

2. Infection

3. Anaesthesia-related complications.

4. Inability to conceive, even after the surgery,

5. Ectopic pregnancy (implantation of a fertilized egg outside the uterus). Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition.

6. Risk of tubal blockage due to scar tissue formation.

Alternatives:

If you’ve undergone tubal Ligation, then there are many options available for you to help you in conception. One of them is IVF, in vitro fertilization. In IVF, eggs are mixed with sperm in a lab. Fertilized eggs are then implanted directly into your uterus and pregnancy can proceed as usual. In IVF, donor eggs and sperm can also be used.

In vitro fertilization has become the most dominating technique for conceiving in women with abnormal or blocked fallopian tubes.

Advantages of IVF over Tubal Ligation Reversal

1. The ectopic rate for IVF is 1%. The ectopic pregnancy rate for tubal reversals is 20%.

2. Tubal ligation reversals require surgery. IVF does not require surgery.

3. IVF allows the selection of the healthiest embryos for transfer and often a choice among several embryos.

4. IVF does not require a hospital stay or extended recovery period

Conclusion:

Couples should thoroughly understand the differences between IVF and Tubal Ligation Reversal. You can take advice from the best infertility doctor. Gaudium IVF, the Best IVF Clinic in Bengaluru recommends the IVF procedure over tubal ligation reversal due to its high success rates and less recovery time. Gaudium IVF provides high success rates in IVF with expert doctors in handling multiple failed IVF cycles.