Will tubal reversal surgery become a lost skill to the future world? Not if Dr. Monteith is any indication. In a world where even reproductive endocrinologists are not being trained in tubal reversal skills, there are a few that seek out the specialized training that is needed.
But, before we go into that further, let’s find out if I am hyping the concern about the loss of tubal reversal for women seeking to reverse tubal ligation. To do this, we will use the information provided by Dr. Monteith from his own experiences.
Dr. Monteith makes posts on the http://www.tubal-reversal.net/ blog. In a couple of these, he discussed the training available. Once he determined he wished to become a tubal reversal doctor, he looked into what kind of training he could get. Already an ob/gyn who worked on high risks cases, the normal course of action would be pursuing a fellowship in reproductive endocrinology. But the experience of friends showed this just wouldn’t train him as he wished. One friend who did the whole three year fellowship did only three tubal reversals in three years. Another friend did zero.
Furthermore, in another blog post, Dr. Monteith relates his own obstetrics and gynecology experience as a resident from 1997 to 2001. While he learned much during that time, he never saw even one tubal reversal procedure. Fact is, he would not have even known it was a good alternative for many women but for one incident. During a patient appointment which he observed as a resident, the doctor suggested the patient seek out a tubal reversal from Dr. Berger rather than the usual IVF.
Since he never saw the operation at the hospital, Dr. Monteith thought it wasn’t a good option. Furthermore, somewhere in his training and education he had picked up the information that the success rate for tubal reversal was less than 50% which is so wrong. The doctor set him straight in a conversation after the patient’s appointment. Check out the CHTRC website for the results of a 2007 study on women who had tubal reversal and learn the success rates yourself.
What he learned stuck with him and as time went on and the desire to be able to provide this option to women grew, he sought out Dr. Berger to train him. After all, he wasn’t going to get it any other way apparently.
What we need is more doctors to realize what a great service tubal reversal surgery is for women who have changed their minds regarding tubal ligation. But it also helps women suffering infertility due to tubal blockage. What will we do if more people don’t do as Dr. Monteith did to find his own mentor? Will tubal reversal surgery be there for the next generation?
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