Tubal blockage or tubal occlusion (the medical term) is the reason that tubal ligation prevents pregnancy. The blockage of the fallopian tube prevents joining of the sperm and egg and prevents eggs from being able to reach the uterine cavity. In the case of tubal sterilization, tubal blockage is intentional. Tubal blockage may also occur due to disease conditions and result in involuntary infertility. Tubal blockage, whether intentional or from disease, can be corrected with reconstructive tubal surgery.
Facts about Tubal Blockage
Tubal blockage affects millions of women in the US and hundreds of millions worldwide. More than 10 million women in the US, and more than 100 million worldwide, have had a tubal sterilization. There are approximately 6 million infertile couples in the US. It is estimated that 10-20% (600,000 to 1.2 million) cases of infertility may be due to tubal disease. In the majority of cases, tubal occlusion due to disease is caused by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the fallopian tubes (salpingitis) and sometimes the ovaries and pelvic cavity. PID is “silent”, unrecognized, or misdiagnosed in many and perhaps in the majority of cases.
Tubal Blockage Treatments
There are 2 basic approaches for the treatment of infertility (voluntary or involuntary) due to tubal blockage:
- Tubal Surgery
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Tubal Surgery is best performed by gynecologic reproductive surgeons who have specialized training and experience in this area. There are very few doctors with advanced training and experience in tubal surgery. IVF is more popular than tubal surgery among reproductive endocrinologists. Most of these doctors do not receive training in tubal surgery.
IVF involves replacing the functions of the fallopian tube with laboratory and minor surgical procedures that result in fertilization and transfer of fertilized eggs or embryos into the uterine cavity.
Techniques of Tubal Surgery to Correct Tubal Blockage
There are 3 basic techniques of tubal reconstructive surgery. Each of these has been described and illustrated in previous website or blog pages:
- Tubal Anastomosis (tubal reanastomosis, tubotubal anastomosis)
- Tubal Implantation (tubouterine implantation, uterotubal implantation)
- Salpingostomy (salpingoneostomy)
Tubal Surgery at A Personal Choice
The techniques of tubal reversal surgery that Dr. Berger and Dr. Monteith perform every day are the same techniques used to repair blocked tubes due to tubal disease. Although our practice name (A Personal Choice) and website (www.tubal-reversal.net) clearly indicate our primary interest, many women with blocked tubes caused by tubal disease, rather than surgical sterilization, find their way here for help in correcting their tubal blockage and becoming able to have children.
More Information on Tubal Blockage
Submitted by Dr. Berger
