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Dr. Fermin Barrueto, Chair, Endoscopy & Pelvic Reconstruction at Mercy Medical Center

Dr. Fermin Barrueto, Chief, Endoscopy & Pelvic Reconstruction At Mercy Medical Center, Discusses Reversing Tubal Ligation To Achieve Pregnancy

Tubal ligation, sometimes known as "having your tubes tied," is a well-known form of sterilization, but approximately 20 percent of those who undergo the procedure come to regret that decision... and a smaller percentage of those women decide they would like to become pregnant again.

Gynecologist Dr. Fermin Barrueto, Chair of Endoscopy and Pelvic Reconstruction at Mercy Medical Center, notes that while many doctors consider tubal ligation permanent, the procedure can be reversed.

Before microsurgery, the pregnancy rate was no greater than 20%, but now, using new technology, including filaments finer than a human hair and a needle that looks like an eyelash, it is much greater.

"Depending upon the age of the woman and the site where the tubal ligation was done, the pregnancy rates can go as high as 80 or 90 percent. So it's very successful," Dr. Barrueto said.

The closer the incision in the fallopian tube was to the uterus, instead of the other end of the tube called the fembria, the greater that chance at success, Dr. Barrueto explained.

Age also plays a role in the success rate of someone becoming pregnant after tubal ligation reversal. Dr. Barrueto noted that in cases of women ages 37-40 or older, invitro fertilization offers an even better chance of pregnancy than tubal ligation reversal.

To see Dr. Barrueto's interview with WBAL-TV11 "Woman's Doctor," visit this link: http://www.wbaltv.com/video/20194518/index.html.