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NEW STUDY SHOWS TUBAL REVERSAL SURGERY IS BETTER OPTION FOR WOMEN DESIRING CHILDREN AFTER TUBAL LIGATION

Six-year study shows tubal reversal surgery results in higher pregnancy and live birth rates and is less costly than IVF.

(CHAPEL HILL, NC) – Dr. Gary S. Berger, M.D., director of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center, today released the most comprehensive study done to date of tubal reversal surgery and its resulting outcomes, showing that for the majority of women who have undergone a tubal ligation procedure and decide later they would like to have more children, tubal reversal surgery is a better option than in vitro fertilization (IVF).

“The results are clear – across all ages of women included, our results with tubal reversal surgery led to higher numbers of pregnancies and live births than standard IVF procedures.” said Berger. “Besides having higher success rates, the one-hour outpatient procedure is less than half the cost of an IVF cycle.”

“Many people, including doctors, mistakenly believe that tubal ligation surgery is a permanent method of birth control,” continued Dr. Berger. Tubal reversal surgery – a one-hour outpatient procedure – rejoins the separated segments of fallopian tube so that eggs can become fertilized and travel down the tubes to the uterus, allowing a pregnancy to occur naturally.”

When the tubal reversal statistics from Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center were compared with the latest national IVF statistics, pregnancy and birth rates after tubal reversal were higher than after IVF in every age group. Besides its higher success rate, the cost of the one-hour outpatient tubal reversal operation performed by Dr. Berger is less than half the cost of an IVF cycle.

The study report includes 3,139 patients who underwent tubal reversal surgery by Dr. Berger between January 2001 and December 2005. This is the largest and most definitive study in existence that provides information on the outcome of tubal reversal surgery.

At the conclusion of the study interval, 69 percent of the women in Dr. Berger’s study had reported pregnancies. The pregnancy rate ranged from 82 percent for women under 30 to 41 percent for women 40 years of age and older. The highest pregnancy rate (87 percent) was among women age under 30 after reversal of a previous ring or clip method of sterilization.

Dr. Berger, one of the pioneers of tubal reversal surgery, is a reproductive surgeon who specializes in and limits his practice to outpatient tubal reversal surgery.

"How do I choose a doctor?" Considering the number of choices, it is one of the most important questions to consider before you move forward with planning your tubal reversal surgery. Training, experience, availability, and patient support can vary greatly between doctors and facilities. To help you feel fully informed in your decision, here is a list of questions to ask when considering how to choose a doctor to perform your surgery and the types of responses you should expect.



Question #1: What credentials does the doctor have that demonstrate expertise in tubal reversal surgery?

Answer: You can check on line to see if the doctor is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and a member of the Society of Reproductive Surgeons. Doctors with both of these credentials are recognized by their peers as experts with the training and experience best suited for tubal reversal surgery. Dr. Berger is a member of both groups and has written dozens of articles on tubal reversal surgery.



Question #2: How many tubal ligation reversals has the doctor performed?

Answer: The more experience the doctor has, the better! Dr. Berger performs 4 tubal reversals everyday, 5 days a week. Having performed more than 5000 tubal ligation reversals, Dr. Berger has the most experience with this outpatient procedure of any reproductive surgeon in the world. Patients come to him from across the US and abroad to have their tubes repaired. He is considered by many to be the best tubal reversal doctor.



Question #3: Does the doctor perform tubal reversals on an outpatient basis?

Answer: The answer to this question should be "yes", since outpatient surgery not only reduces cost but also avoids risks of hospitalization, such as possible infection with hospital acquired bacteria.



Question #4: What are the doctor's success rates following tubal reversal surgery, based on the patient's age and type of tubal ligation?

Answer: The answer to this question should be based on accurate statistical data. If you are 40 and had a monopolar tubal coagulation, you do not want to be quoted the success rate for 23 year olds with tubal ligation by Hulka clips. Ask for information about the outcomes of surgery for women in your age group and with your method of tubal ligation. Ask to see the statistics that the doctor has regarding his patients' outcomes. At Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center they keep an extensive information database and can give you detailed statistics about pregnancy rates for our patients taking into account age, tubal ligation method, and many other factors. A weekly pregnancy report is also provided on the Tubal Reversal Message Board. In addition, Dr. Berger has completed the most comprehensive study done to date of tubal reversal surgery and its resulting outcomes, showing that for the majority of women who have undergone a tubal ligation procedure and decide later they would like to have more children, tubal reversal surgery is a better option than in vitro fertilization (IVF). At Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center, they are committed to providing accurate and up to date information.



Question #5: How long does tubal reversal surgery normally take?

Answer: Tubal reversal performed by Dr. Berger usually takes less than an hour. Minimizing operating time is important, since longer anesthesia and surgery times are associated with increased complication rates and recovery from surgery.



Question #6: Is it better to have my tubal reversal in an outpatient center or a hospital?

Answer: Chapel Hill Surgical Center is a state of the art facility dedicated to tubal reversal surgery and is licensed by the Division of Facility Services of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.Personalized care is easier to ensure in this small private setting than in a large hospital. They have a higher clinical staff to patient ratio than in a hospital, and can concentrate all of their attention on the safety and comfort of tubal reversal patients. The nurses at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center have all obtained certification in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and the anesthesiologists are board certified, which means you will receive the best care possible – and all in the comfort and privacy of the outpatient setting. Hundreds of patient testimonials provide details of the commitment Dr. Berger and his staff have made to patient safety and comfort.



Question #7: What is the expected recovery time following tubal reversal?

Answer: Although everyone recovers at a different rate, most patients are able to return to work and other normal activities within 5 to 10 days. Dr. Berger allows patients to begin trying to conceive as soon as they have a period following surgery.



Question #8: Will you be following up with me to assist me when I have questions or concerns following my tubal reversal? Will there be any charges for my follow-up care?

Answer: Dr. Berger and the nursing staff at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center will be available for on-going support and information to help you conceive as well as to monitor your early pregnancy.There is no additional cost for this follow-up care.



Julia Smith, RN

Nurse Administrator

Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center