Tubal reversal surgery offers hope for women wishing to become pregnant after having a tubal ligation or having their "tubes tied". Many factors can affect success rates for this type of procedure.
Success Rates of Tubal Reversal Surgery
Some reports indicate a 70 to 80 percent chance of pregnancy with tubal reversal surgery. This percentage and rate of success can vary depending on the expertise of the surgeon performing the surgery. The extent of the amount of functioning that is present with the ovaries also is an important factor, as is the age of the woman having the procedure.
Age
A healthy woman under 30 to 35 years of age has better odds to succeed with a tubal reversal surgery. Chances for success become slimmer as the woman ages.
Tube Quality and Length
The length of the tubes should be at least 2 inches in length. The longer the length of the stumps at the end of the tubes, the greater the chance for pregnancy. If at least half of the tubes are?still present after the tubal ligation takes place, then the chances are higher to conceive. In addition, the shorter the length of the tubes, the higher the risks for miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies (complication of pregnancies when the fertilized egg implants itself outside of the uterus).
If the fimbria (delicate ends of the tubes that pick up the eggs) are damaged or removed, there is little to no chances of a pregnancy taking place.
Tubal Ligation Methods
The tubal ligation method or the way that the tubal sterilization was performed, will be one of the deciding factors on the success rate of the tubal reversal surgery.
The clip method offers the highest chance of pregnancy, at about 85 to 90 percent for women under the age of 30, and about 25 to 30 percent for women over 40 years of age.
The ring method of sterilization has an 80 to 85 percent success rate for women less than 30 years of age, and approximately a?40 to 45 percent success rate?for women over the age of 40 years.
The coagulation method (laparoscopic female sterilization method) offers a success rate of around 75 to 80 percent for women less than 30 years of age, and about 25 to 30 percent for women over the age of 40 years.
Tubal ligation (female sterilization where the fallopian tubes are cut and tied or sealed) offers a success rate of approximately 70 to 75 percent, and about a 20 to 25 percent success rate for women over the age of 40 years.
It is best to wait about 4 to 6 months after a tubal ligation to attempt a tubal reversal surgery, as the tubes will have time to heal and it will lessen the risk of tubal injury.
Egg Quality and Quantity
The egg quality and quantity play a vital role with a successful tubal reversal. As the woman ages, the eggs are of a poorer quality and quantity, and the risk for miscarriages?increases.
A Healthy Uterus
A healthy uterus with no fibroids or uterine abnormalities?increases the chances for pregnancy.
Sperm Count and Quality
Sperm count and quality is important for tubal reversal for women. For a higher success rate, the man's sperm count should be high with a good mobility rate.
