Fallopian tube surgery success

Content provided by Healthwise

Fallopian tube surgery success

If you are unable to become pregnant because of a fallopian tube problem, tubal surgery may be helpful. The chances of success of a fallopian tube procedure depend in part on the location and extent of the blockage.

• Clearing a tubal blockage close to the uterus is most likely to be successful. Up to 60% of women with this type of blockage have reported successful pregnancies after tubal surgery.¹ These blockages often are functional (such as a mucus plug) rather than structural (such as scarring or other obstruction).
• From 20% to 30% of women with a blockage near the end of the fallopian tube have had successful pregnancies after tubal surgery.¹
• If both ends of a fallopian tube have blockages, surgery is unlikely to result an a successful pregnancy.
• The amount of fallopian tube that remains after surgery is critical to the function of the tube. If a large part of the tube must be removed to eliminate blockage, the likelihood of pregnancy after surgery is reduced.

Additional factors that affect surgery success include your age, whether you have scar tissue (adhesions) or other diseases in your pelvic area, and your surgeon's level of skill and experience.

After tubal surgery, the risk of tubal (ectopic) pregnancy is higher than normal. This can be an effect of the surgery or of preexisting tubal damage.

References

Citations

1. Al-Inany H (2005). Female infertility, search date April 2004. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence. Also available online: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.

Credits

Last updated:	March 21, 2008
Author:	Sandy Jocoy, RN
Reviewed By:	Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine, Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC