Microsurgical tubal reanastomosis--the role of splints

Tubal reanastomosis was performed in 32 patients using microsurgical techniques. In 25 women, occlusion was due to prior sterilization. A splint was not used during or after repair. Intrauterine pregnancy occurred in 21 (84%) and fetal loss in 6% of 17 potentially viable pregnancies. The mean midluteal serum progesterone level of previously sterilized patients (13.4 +/- 1.0 ng/ml) was similar to the level in normal partners of infertile men (12.9 +/- 1.5 ng/ml) and in women with other tubal causes of infertility (14.3 +/- 1.1. ng/ml). Seven patients with occlusion due to disease achieved postoperative patency; there were 4 (57%) intrauterine pregnancies and 1 tubal gestation. The author concludes that a splint is not necessary in performing tubal reanastomosis and that there is no clinical or laboratory evidence of luteal insufficiency in this group of previously sterilized women.