While Tubal Ligation is generally considered a permanent procedure, some women desire to have children afterwards. The two options for pregnancy after Tubal Ligation are: microsurgical tubal reversal and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).

Tubal reversal is performed by carefully reattaching the cut segments of the tubes to restore tubal patency and integrity. Reviewing the operative and pathology reports from the Tubal Ligation procedure is the first step in estimating the feasibility and success rate of tubal reversal. If at least 4-5 cm (2 inches) of the tubes are present after the reversal, women under 37 years achieve a pregnancy rate of up to 70% over a period of one to two years after the procedure. However, certain types of tubal sterilization, such as fimbriectomy (removal of the fimbria), are not amenable to surgical reversal and require IVF.

At RMFC, microsurgical tubal reversal is usually an outpatient procedure with overnight 23-hour stay. The surgery is performed in the morning and you go home the next morning. A small incision ("bikini cut") is made in the lower abdomen close to pubic hairline to expose the tubes for repair. The surgery takes about three hours and a microscope is used to carefully reattach the tubes with very fine sutures. Most women are able to return to work within two weeks after surgery. Surgical complications are uncommon.