Untying Tied Tubes: Falope Ring Sterilization
The Yoon Falope rings were developed in the 1960’s as a safer alternative to laparoscopic monopolar cautery tubal sterilization. This procedure is performed by inserting a laparoscope just under the belly button. The fallopian tube is then identified and a device holds the tube while the silastic ring is slid over a 2-3 cm ‘knuckle’ of tube that is kinked off by the ring. This is done once for each side. The Falope ring causes the squeezed ‘knuckle’ of tube to undergo avascular necrosis (to die and become absorbed by the body). After this happens the ends of the tubal segments outside the ring close up, thereby preventing sperm from reaching the egg. Reversing Falope ring sterilization is not as easy as just removing the ring. The closed ends of the tubes must be opened and the tubal segments must be rejoined. Falope rings cause destruction of a minimal length of fallopian tube and reversal of this type of tubal ligation gives excellent results.
