Fertility Outcome after Reversal of Sterilization

Objective:The study was designed to evaluate the fertility outcome in sterilization reversals and a variety of factors that have been suggested to influence the successful outcome of sterilization reversal procedures. Method:It is a retrospective study involving all sterilization reversals performed between January 1991 and December 1995 in our hospital. A total of 58 cases were treated. Tubal anastomosis was performed according to rules of microsurgery. The loupe microsurgical technique with 4 × magnification comprising two main phases, preparation of healthy tubal segments and anastomosis carried out in two layers. Results:It was possible to study subsequent fertility of 50 patients in all, as 8 patients were lost to follow‐up (13.76%). The overall conception rate was 68% (34 cases), out of which intrauterine pregnancy rate was 62% (31 cases), ectopic pregnancy rate was 6% and the abortion rate was 6%. Fifty percent of patients conceived within first 12 months of reversal of sterilization. The isthmic‐isthmic type of anastomosis has maximum incidence of pregnancies (88.88%). Conclusion:Laparoscopic (Falope ring) sterilization should be preferred in women who are willing for interval sterilization and it should be done at isthmic segment of the tube, whereas the Pomeroy's method is to be reserved for occasional postpartum procedure. Reversal of sterilization should be done with strict adherence to principles of microsurgery.