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Tubal Reversal Pregnancy Study Report 2007

Mike Malone — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:22:57 +0000

Summary

Results of the most recent and largest study of pregnancies and pregnancy outcomes after tubal reversal surgery are now available from the Tubal Reversal Pregnancy Study Report 2007. This is a prospective observational study of over 3000 women who had their tubal reversal procedures performed by Dr. Gary Berger during the 5 year period 2001-2005. The overall pregnancy rate after tubal reversal was 69%. Age at the time of reversal surgery was an important factor associated with pregnancies and their outcomes. Age-specific pregnancy rates were: 82% for women under 30, 76% for ages 30-34, 67% for ages 35-39, and 41% for women 40 years or older. Pregnancy outcomes were also associated with age. Younger women had lower miscarriages rates and higher birth rates than older women.

This article provides highlights of the study – the complete report can be viewed here:

Introduction

Many people are unaware that tubal ligation – usually considered a permanent method of birth control – can be reversed through low cost, one hour outpatient surgery. Even many physicians believe that in vitro fertilization (IVF) is the only treatment option for women who want another baby after having a tubal ligation. Information is widely available about IVF pregnancy and birth rates in the United States from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Tubal reversal statistics, however, are more difficult to find, and in the past, they have been based on relatively small patient numbers. The recent report from the Tubal Reversal Pregnancy Study provides outcome data from a large patient population with follow-up from 1 to 5 years after surgery.

Study Methodology

There were 3,019 women who had tubal reversal procedures performed by Dr. Berger at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center from January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2005. They were followed up at regular intervals to determine the outcomes of their procedures. The 2007 report includes data through December 31, 2006, giving a minimum length of follow-up of 1 year and a maximum of 5 years. Some of the women reported more than one pregnancy during the study interval. All pregnancies and their outcomes were recorded in an electronic database and included in the data analysis.

Patient Population

The women’s ages ranged from 23 to 50, the average being 34 years old. They came from a wide geographic distribution in the United States as well as from other countries. This map gives an overview of the resident locations of the US patients.

Figure 1. Resident Locations of US Patients

The methods of tubal ligation among this group of women were ligation/resection (40%), coagulation (29%), ring/clip (22%) and fimbriectomy or unknown (9%).

Tubal Reversal Techniques

All tubal reversal operations were performed using outpatient mini-laparotomy surgical and anesthetic techniques that minimize tissue injury, blood loss, anesthesia time, postoperative pain, and recovery time. These techniques are shown and described by Dr. Berger in a video called Outpatient Tubal Reversal that has been broadcast on Discovery, The Learning Channel and the CBS Early Show. The tubal reversal procedures included microsurgical tubotubal anastomosis, ampullary salpingostomy, and tubouterine implantation.

Results

Pregnancy Rates by Age

As expected, younger women had higher pregnancy rates than older women. The overall pregnancy rate was 69% and age-specific pregnancy rates ranged from 82% for women under 30 to 41% for women 40 years of age and older.

Pregnancy Outcomes by Age

Age also was associated significantly with the outcome of pregnancy. As age increased, the percentage of pregnancies resulting in births declined. This was a result of more frequent miscarriages with increasing age. Among women under age 35, over half of pregnancies resulted in birth while one third miscarried. The birth rate declined to 40% as the miscarriage rate increased to 45% for women ages 40 and older. Independent of age, the ectopic pregnancy rate was significantly higher (16%) than that found in the general population, which is approximately 2.5%. Whether tubal reversal results in an increased risk of miscarriage is unclear, but it seems unlikely since the miscarriage rate reported in the general population ranges from approximately 20% to 40%, depending on a woman’s age and the extent of early pregnancy testing.

Pregnancy Rates by Age and Tubal Ligation Method

Pregnancy rates taking into account both age and tubal ligation method are shown in Table 3. The highest pregnancy rate (87%) was reported by women age 29 or less who underwent reversal of a previous ring or clip method of sterilization. The lowest pregnancy rate (31%) was for women age 40 and older with either a fimbriectomy or unknown method of tubal ligation. Of the two variables, age is more predictive than tubal ligation method of the likelihood of becoming pregnant after reversal surgery.

Comment

Ongoing patient contact is necessary to provide pregnancy and outcome statistics after tubal reversal surgery. At Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center, nurses enter information into an electronic patient database at the patient’s registration, the surgical procedure, and all post-operative communications between patients and staff. Patients are contacted routinely at 6 and 12 month intervals after their tubal reversal procedure if they have not been in regular contact with the Center’s staff. The comprehensive follow-up database at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center is unique. To our knowledge, no other doctor or medical facility maintains such a long term, ongoing follow-up system to determine the outcomes of tubal reversal procedures. This approach to long term follow-up and data collection may serve as a model for other physicians or clinics to document the results of tubal reversal procedures.

About The Author

Dr. Gary Berger is a member of the Board of Directors of INCIID. He is a reproductive surgeon who limits his practice to tubal reparative surgery. Dr. Berger is the Medical Director of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center – the only facility that is exclusively for tubal reversal surgery.

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Press Release – Tubal Reversal Study 2007

Mike Malone — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:21:33 +0000

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.

Tags: Birth Rates, Chapel Hill Nc, Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal, Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center, Definitive Study, Dr Berger, Dr Gary, Fallopian Tube, Fertilization Ivf, Gary S Berger, Ivf Cycle, Ivf Procedures, Ivf Statistics, Live Births, Outpatient Procedure, Pregnancy And Birth, Success Rates, Tubal Ligation, Tubal Reversal Surgery, Vitro Fertilization

Tubal Reversal Sucess Rates

Mike Malone — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:57:09 +0000

People often wonder “Even if I do get the tubal reversal procedure done, what are the chances I’ll conceive?”

Dr. Berger of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal center is the only doctor who tracks his specific success rate – others doctors will just quote the industry average. Dr. Berger has taken the time and the expense to meticulously keep track of patients pregnancy and birth rates and make sure the procedure is as pain-free as possible.

Detailed Tubal Reversal Success Rates Here

One way to determine what your success rate may be is with the operative report from your tubal ligation. This can be obtained from the doctor who performed the surgery or from the medical records department of the hospital where your procedure was performed.

If you would like to forward this information to us, Dr. Berger will review the operative report at no charge and we can contact you regarding possible outcomes for you following reversal surgery. You may fax the records to us at 870-934-9211. Please include all contact information (phone and e-mail) when faxing your records.

If you have questions about your chances to get pregnant after a tubal reversal, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Julia Smith, RN

Nurse Administrator

Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center

www.tubal-reversal.net

Phone: (919) 656-8204

Fax: 870-934-9211

Tags: Birth Rates, Center Www, Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal, Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center, Doctor Who, Dr Berger, E Mail, Information Phone, Julia Smith, Medical Records Department, Nurse Administrator, Operative Report, Pregnancy And Birth, Pregnancy Birth, Reversal Surgery, Rn Nurse, Success Rate, Success Rates, Sucess, Tubal Ligation

Pregnant At Age 44 Following Tubal Reversal Surgery With Dr. Berger

Mike Malone — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 13:40:51 +0000

A member of the Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center Message Board posts “I was a member here several years ago. I had my reversal done by Dr. Berger 3 years ago. I had all but given up hope but now I’m currently 14 weeks pregnant at the age of 44!” Many times women age 40 or over who have had tubal ligation are encouraged to undergo IVF with donor egg due to their age. Tubal Reversal surgery with Dr. Berger gives women of any age the chance to conceive a child naturally. In a study performed by Dr. Berger, pregnancy rates after tubal reversal were higher than after IVF within every age group. Similarly, birth rates were higher after tubal reversal at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center than after IVF for women of all ages and the differences increased with increasing maternal age.

This is topic hi again in forum New Message Board Members at Tubal Reversal Message Board.

Posted by debbiem (Member # 11820) on December 18, 2007 10:15 AM:
I was a member here several years ago. I had my reversal done by Dr. Berger 3 years ago. I had all but given up hope but now I’m currently 14 weeks pregnant at the age of 44!
I’m going to post a more specific message on the age & tubal reversal forum, but just wanted to introduce myself again and say to not give up hope if it isn’t happening as soon as you would like!

Posted by So_Blessed (Member # 11773) on December 18, 2007 10:54 AM:
debbiem,I have a new motto that fits your situation perfectly. “A delay from GOD is not a denial” we have to stay faithful. I was a little concerned about not conceiving after TR but I see all things are possible. Stay Prayerful.
So_Blessed

Posted by in-Gods-hands (Member # 11795) on December 18, 2007 03:37 PM:
So true so-blessed.It is great to hear that after all this time you are getting that little one debbiem. Never give up hope for hope is fought in God and he can do anything.I am so happy for you.

Posted by Stephanie RN (Member # 460) on December 19, 2007 12:57 PM:
Wonderful news! Thanks for sharing this information and please keep us posted on your pregnancy.

Posted by Sarah Dziadosz (Member # 11326) on December 19, 2007 01:06 PM:
Congratulations, that is fabulous news! Sarah

Posted by lesliebrown569 (Member # 7110) on December 19, 2007 02:01 PM:
congrats debbiem!! what year were you on here? I have been up here since 04
LeslieEDD~ 8/4/08TR~4/20/07

Posted by cnrstepp (Member # 11810) on December 26, 2007 02:46 PM:
Wonderful!!!Cora

Posted by aussiewife33 (Member # 10263) on December 27, 2007 08:07 PM:
i am so excited for you thats wounderful news…..how exciting. i wihs you the best….. i agree with you that if you stay faithful like abrahams wife you will be blessed . sometimes we just get tested on our patience.

Tags: 3 Years, Age Group, Birth Rates, Board Members, Center Message, Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal, Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center, Donor Egg, Dr Berger, Gods Hands, Ivf, Maternal Age, Message Board Posts, New Message Board, Pregnancy Rates, Reversal Surgery, Rn, Times Women, Tubal Ligation, Women Age

Press Release – Tubal Reversal Study 2007

Mike Malone — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:54:16 +0000

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.

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.

Pregnant At Age 44 Following Tubal Reversal Surgery With Dr. Berger

Mike Malone — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 07:45:52 +0000

This is topic hi again in forum New Message Board Members at Tubal Reversal Message Board.

Posted by Stephanie RN (Member # 460) on December 19, 2007 12:57 PM:
Wonderful news! Thanks for sharing this information and please keep us posted on your pregnancy.

Posted by Sarah Dziadosz (Member # 11326) on December 19, 2007 01:06 PM:
Congratulations, that is fabulous news! Sarah

Posted by lesliebrown569 (Member # 7110) on December 19, 2007 02:01 PM:
congrats debbiem!! what year were you on here? I have been up here since 04
LeslieEDD~ 8/4/08TR~4/20/07

Posted by cnrstepp (Member # 11810) on December 26, 2007 02:46 PM:
Wonderful!!!Cora

Tubal Reversal Sucess Rates

Mike Malone — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:28:38 +0000

People often wonder “Even if I do get the tubal reversal procedure done, what are the chances I’ll conceive?”

Detailed Tubal Reversal Success Rates Here

If you have questions about your chances to get pregnant after a tubal reversal, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Julia Smith, RN

Nurse Administrator

Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center

www.tubal-reversal.net

Phone: (919) 656-8204

Fax: 870-934-9211

Tubal Reversal Success Proven In Large Study

Mike Malone — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:13:21 +0000

Submitted By: Gary S Berger MD

Tubal ligation – usually considered a permanent method of birth control – can be successfully reversed through one hour outpatient surgery. A recent large prospective study shows that most women become pregnant and have more children after tubal reversal.

The study involved 2692 women who underwent tubal reversal surgery at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center from 2001 through 2004. The tubal reversal operations were performed by Dr. Gary Berger, the Center’s Medical Director.

During the first year after tubal reversal surgery, 1,783 (65%) of the 2,692 women had reported pregnancies. The pregnancy rate after tubal reversal surgery ranged from 77% for women under 30 to 34% for women over 40 years of age and older. Women with longer tubal lengths had higher pregnancy rates than women with shorter tubes following tubal reversal. Women with tubal lengths 7.5 cm or longer had a pregnancy rate of 77%. The pregnancy rate declined as tubal length decreased, but even women with the shortest tubes (less than 2.5 cm) became pregnant (24%).

Long tubes were also associated with better pregnancy outcomes than short tubes. Among women with average fallopian tube lengths measuring 7.5 cm or longer, 59% gave birth or had an ongoing pregnancy. Birth rates declined while miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy rates increased with shorter tubal lengths. The ectopic pregnancy rate of 15% after tubal reversal was higher than the 2% ectopic pregnancy rate in the general population.

It is unusual for a doctor, hospital, or clinic that to maintain ongoing patient follow-up after surgery. According to Dr. Berger, this study is significant in being the largest and most complete source of information about tubal reversal surgery that is currently available. He noted that information about tubal reversal surgery often lacks supporting documentation – such as a description of the patient population, study method, and follow-up interval. While a doctor may say that his patients have a particular success rate, documenting the claim with actual data involves considerable effort. Performing a follow-up study such as this one requires keeping an accurate record of patients and their findings, as well as maintaining ongoing patient contact to determine the outcomes of treatment. That is the only way a doctor can actually know what the pregnancy and outcome statistics are for his patients.

About the Author:
Gary S. Berger, M.D. Medical Director Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center 109 Conner Drive Suite 2200 Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Tel: (919) 968-4656 Fax: (919) 967-8637 Website: http://www.tubal-reversal.net/

Tags: Birth Rates, Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal, Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center, Dr Berger, Dr Gary, Ectopic Pregnancy, Fallopian Tube, Gary Berger, Gary S Berger, Outpatient Surgery, Patient Population, Population Study, Pregnancy Birth, Pregnancy Outcomes, Pregnancy Rate, Pregnancy Rates, Prospective Study, Reversal Surgery, Tubal Ligation, Tube Lengths

Tubal Reversal Pregnancy Study Report 2007

Mike Malone — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 04:35:23 +0000

Summary

This article provides highlights of the study – the complete report can be viewed here:

Introduction

Study Methodology

Patient Population

Figure 1. Resident Locations of US Patients

The methods of tubal ligation among this group of women were ligation/resection (40%), coagulation (29%), ring/clip (22%) and fimbriectomy or unknown (9%).

Vasectomy Reversal Tips » Birth Rates

Tubal Reversal Pregnancy Study Report 2007

Summary

Introduction

Study Methodology

Patient Population

Tubal Reversal Techniques

Results

Pregnancy Rates by Age

Pregnancy Outcomes by Age

Pregnancy Rates by Age and Tubal Ligation Method

Comment

About The Author

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Press Release – Tubal Reversal Study 2007

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Related posts

Tubal Reversal Pregnancy Study Report 2007

Summary

Introduction

Study Methodology

Patient Population

Tubal Reversal Techniques

Results

Pregnancy Rates by Age

Pregnancy Outcomes by Age

Pregnancy Rates by Age and Tubal Ligation Method

Comment

About The Author

Related posts

Tubal Reversal Success Proven In Large Study

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