Reversal of female sterilisation experience in a district general hospital

Forty-five women who had microsurgical reversal of tubal sterilisation in New Cross Hospital Wolverhampton, between January 1986 and December 1992, were analysed to determine the success rate and the influencing factors. These women were followed-up until September 1994. More than 80% of the women were sterilised before the age of 30, and more than 80% sought reversal because of change of relationship. The overall pregnancy rate was 57.8% (intrauterine 51.1%, ectopic 6.7%). There were 17 (37.8%) live births. Intrauterine pregnancy rate was 100% (6/6) for the reversal of previous Filshie clip sterilisation, 50% (17/34) for previous Falope ring application and 0% (0/5) for previous Pomeroy method (P < 0.001). Analysis according to the site of anastomosis showed that the isthmic-isthmic anastomosis had an intrauterine pregnancy rate of 87.5% (7/8), isthmic-ampullary: 48.4% (15/31) and ampullary-ampullary: 16.7% (1/6), (P < 0.02). Sterilisation-reversal interval had no significant influence on the intrauterine pregnancy rate.