Sterilization reversals performed by fellows in training: what success rates can we reasonably expect?

To assess outcomes of sterilization reversal procedures performed by fellows in training, we retrospectively analyzed 44 women who had undergone this procedure at a large teaching institution. All women studied had been followed postoperatively for a minimum of 12 months. Sixty-five percent of patients became pregnant. Fifty-four percent of patients successfully delivered a term infant. Compared to results tallied by experienced microsurgeons, no significant differences in outcomes were noted. We conclude that clinically inexperienced microsurgeons can obtain reasonable success rates for sterilization reversal procedures by carefully following established microsurgical principles.