Tubotubal anastomosis is a microsurgical procedure that is performed in an attempt to place two portions of the fallopian tube back together. Generally, the surgery is performed in cases where elective sterilization has taken place, either by tubal ligation or tubal coagulation. The success of the surgery usually depends on the amount of the fallopian tube that remains after the excision or cautery (tubal ligation).
Success rates with tubal reversal surgery are generally high to achieve tubal patency, approximately 80-90%. Success rates for pregnancy are usually approximately 60% within two years of the procedure. Follow up hysterosalpingogram (HSG) 2-3 months after the surgery is performed is recommended to determine whether or not the procedure was successful. Success rates are generally very good for tubal patency (opening), but it must be remembered that usually when a tubal reversal procedure is performed, women who have had a tubal ligation tend to have had previous pregnancies, and are often older. Other infertility factors can be present that weren’t present when previous pregnancies occurred, so even if the tubal reversal procedure is performed, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee conception.