Reversal of sterilization in women over 40 years of age: a multicenter survey in The Netherlands.

Microscopic reversal of sterilization in women is successful. Most infertility treatments, however, are bound to an age limit, which in the individual case is sometimes overstepped. To determine if reversal of sterilization in women greater than 40 years of age is justifiable, the data of nine centers of tubal surgery in the Netherlands were analyzed. In 78 women between 40 and 45 years, an intrauterine pregnancy rate of 45% and an ectopic pregnancy rate of 4% was reported. Whereas 26% of first pregnancies ended in a spontaneous abortion, the live birth rate (all healthy children) still amounted to 44%. The mean duration between operation and first pregnancy was 5.5 months. It is concluded that microscopical reversal of sterilization in women between 40 and 45 years is an acceptable infertility treatment.