Aim: Here, we retrospectively analyzed the success rate of reconstructive microsurgery for tubal infertility (RMTI) as a "first-line" approach to achieving tubal reversal and pregnancy after tubal infertility.
Patients and methods: During 9 consecutive years (2005-2014), 96 patients diagnosed with obstructive tubal infertility underwent RMTI (tubal reversal, salpingostomy, and/or tubal implantation) in our centre. The outcomes are presented in terms of tubal reversal rate and pregnancy and correlated with age, level of tubal obstruction, and duration of tubal infertility.
Results: The overall tubal reversal rate was 87.56% (84 patients). The 48-month cumulative pregnancy rate was 78.04% (64 patients), of which seven ectopic pregnancies occurred (8.53%). The reversibility rate for women under 35 yo was 90.47%, with a birth rate of 73.01%. The reconstruction at the infundibular segments favored higher ectopic pregnancy rates (four ectopic pregnancies for anastomosis at infundibular level-57.14%, two for ampullary level-28.57%, and one for replantation technique-14.28%), with a significant value for p < 0.05.
Conclusions: In the context of IVF "industrialization", reconstructive microsurgery for tubal infertility has become increasingly less favored. However, under available expertise and proper indication, RMTI can be successfully used to restore a woman's ability to conceive naturally with a high postoperative pregnancy rate overall, especially in women under 35 yo.
Keywords: infertility; microsurgery; pregnancy; tubal reversal.