A new approach to tubal re-anastomosis in South Africa

To the Editor: Contraception by means of fallopian tube sterilisation is the most common method used worldwide, and it is estimated that on average 138 million women of reproductive age are sterilised globally each year. Several studies have indicated that the incidence of tubal re-anastomosis in previously sterilised women is 1 - 2%. Laparotomy is currently seen as the gold standard for fallopian tube reversal, and this was the case at Tygerberg Hospital from 1982. However, laparoscopy has been extensively explored as a viable alternative over the past 3 decades. This technique requires expert endoscopic surgical skill. Recently laparoscopy was instituted as a reversal method at our facility owing to our interest in endoscopy.