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It is true that the amount of tube reflected on the pathology report can be different from the amount of tube actually removed. The tubal segment is placed in a "preservative" until the pathologist examines the tissue. Thus, there can be shrinkage of the tubal segment. Another scenario, the ties are placed 3cm apart on the tubes, but only a 2cm segment is cut out. Measuring the path report, you believe that only 2cm has been damaged/removed, when in fact it has been at least 3cm.
The good news, the doctors do take this into consideration when providing an interpretation. Dr. Berger has been doing this for more than 30 years, so it is rare when he is surprised! We would not have assumed that there would be 9 - 10cm of tube remaining because the path report said 0.5cm or 1.5cm was removed (although we do see situations where that is the case). What we can tell patients based on our experience is that there is likely adequate tube remaining for the reversal -- and the doctors are definitely able to repair the tubes in 98% of the cases. This is an accurate statistic based on the data we keep from all surgeries performed -- and pregnancy can occur with tubes as short as 2 - 2.5cm!! (See our most recent pregnancy report where a patient is pregnant with her 2nd TR baby with tubes of 2.5cm)
The only way to be 100% sure of the amount of tube remaining is to begin with a screening laparoscopy so that the tubes can be assessed by the doctor. Although there is an additional fee to add the screening laparoscopy, patients receive a significant refund if the tubes are found to be too short to repair. As I wrote, however, only 2 of every 100 women who come for surgery have tubes that are unable to be repaired.
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bekkah, on my pathology report it states that the doctor only took out 3 cm on one side and 0.5 cm on the other, however when Dr.B got in there, not too much was left. My tube lengths now are 3.5 and 2.5....we figure the Dr must have take more than was received in the pathology department.
Not trying to get you down, just prepared for anything that may be possible....I was expecting 7 to 9 cm tubes left and didn't get even close... still have my fingers crossed though.
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Bekkah75, This should leave adequate tubal lengths remaining for the reversal procedure to be performed! Have you already sent in your reports? Do you have surgery dates in mind? Feel free to email me at ErickaP@tubal-reversal.net
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I am planning on having my Reversal in May. Just found out that the lengths that were taken out of my right was 2.2 and the left was 1.8. Hopefully those are o.k. and I will be able to have another baby. Any thoughts?
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