Novel method of tuboplasty using a thread stent: possibility to increase the success rate

Abstract

Background: Women who have undergone tubectomy for sterilization seek reversal of sterilization for various reasons. The success rate of the traditional method used for recanalization has been compared to our novel method of using a stent. Objective: The aim of this article is to evaluate the success rate of a novel method of tuboplasty using a threaded stent. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one tuboplasty surgeries for reversal of sterilization done at our center were reviewed. All the patients underwent open abdominal tuboplasty using 4× Loupes for magnification. 6-0 Prolene (Johnson & Johnson) suture was used for tubotubal anastomosis with seromuscular sutures. In 11 patients operated on after the year 2010, a 1-0 Ethilon (Johnson & Johnson) thread was used as a “stent.” Before the year 2010, we used to do the anastomosis similarly but without a stent. Eight such patients operated upon before 2010 without stent were evaluated. Two patients operated upon after 2010, in whom the stent could not be placed satisfactorily, were also included in this group of unstented patients. Results: Of the 11 patients who could be stented successfully, 8 (72.7%) conceived a uterine pregnancy. Two patients (18.2%) from the stented group did not conceive. From the group of patients who were not stented or could not be stented (n = 10), only two (20%) conceived. Conclusion: Our novel method of tuboplasty using a thread stent can improve the pregnancy rate to 72.7%.

Keywords

• novel method of open tuboplasty
• reversal of sterilization
• tuboplasty