Reversal of female sterilisation: a comparative study

In 80 women who had reversal of sterilisation, a study was made of their clinical features at the time of sterilisation and of the factors related to successful outcome. Compared with controls at the time of sterilisation, the women requesting reversal were younger, of lower social class and of higher parity; in addition they were more likely to have an unstable relationship and to have been sterilised following a recent pregnancy. After reversal, intrauterine pregnancy occurred in 26/80 (32.5%) and ectopic pregnancy in 6/80 (7.5%), the majority of successful pregnancies occurring in younger women within one year of reversal following a non-destructive method of tubal occlusion. There was no evidence that techniques of management, including the use of an operating microscope, significantly influenced outcome, and controlled trials will be required to establish their efficacy.