Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center
109 Conner Drive Suite 2200, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 968-4656

MDNews Page 3

Outpatient Tubal Ligation Reversal

Fertility Restored Through One Hour Outpatient Surgery
Published in M.D.News Magazine

Tubal Reversal nurse Rhonda
Rhonda Brown, R.N., making a house call the following morning with Stephanie and Clark.

The primary risk associated with tubal reconstruction is the long-term possibility of tubal pregnancy. Two studies performed by Dr. Berger on his patient population show the ectopic pregnancy rate to range from 5% to 15%, depending on the type of tubal sterilization method. Because of this increased risk - compared with the baseline rate of 2% in the general population - Dr. Berger instructs patients to notify him as soon as they have a positive pregnancy test.

"I had surgery at Chapel Hill on October 26th of last year, and guess what? I found out yesterday at the doctor's that I am pregnant! I cannot believe it! My husband and I are in shock, and still cannot believe it! But we are so thrilled! Thank you all so much for all the help, and please tell Dr. Berger thank you, he is an amazing physician, and has truly blessed our lives; he deserves so much more than just a ‘Thank you!'"
Bretta and Aaron Thompson Greenwood, IL

He follows their progress along with their local physician, both of whom have Dr. Berger's toll-free pager number for consultation at any time. With serum testing of the HCG level and early vaginal ultrasound examination, tubal pregnancy can be detected within one or two weeks after a woman has missed her menstrual period. At this early stage, a tubal pregnancy can be terminated with a methotrexate injection to prevent the need for further surgery or the risk of tubal rupture. The couple can safely conceive another pregnancy after the HCG level returns to normal.

If the patient's operative report indicates that she is not a good candidate for surgery, Dr. Berger recommends in vitro fertilization (IVF). "Tubal reversal surgery has a better outcome for most women," he said. "But what I hear from many patients is that they have been advised to go straight to IVF which is more expensive and complicated, besides being less effective than tubal reversal for most patients.

"I am 41 years of age and felt that the odds were stacked against me, but it was worth the try. Dr. Berger performed my tubaligation reversal on Feb. 5, 2003. We are now pregnant and it only took two months from that date of surgery. Thank you, Dr. Berger, for enriching and blessing our lives."
-- Victoria and Abraham Sanchez

" Dr. Berger said an exception to this rule is when the fallopian tubes have been damaged with monopolar coagulation at multiple sites. The best methods of sterilization for subsequent reversal include Hulka clips, Falope rings, and Pomeroy ligation/resection. "These methods do not involve electrocoagulation. However, if only bipolar coagulation has been applied to the tubes, the outcome is also excellent," Dr. Berger has found.

Photo albums of hundreds of babies conceived as a result of Dr. Berger's procedure are displayed on a table in his reception room, indicating the success of his procedures. Hanging on the wall behind his desk is a framed quotation: "Life is the most precious gift of love." This sentiment captures the feeling one gets in his Fertility Center where technology and compassion go hand in hand.

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109 Conner Drive Suite 2200, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 968-4656