We have studied infertility rate and what factors influence the infertility rate in the effort to lower infertility rate after the microsurgical reversal of tubal sterilization.

Two-hundred and seventy-three microsurgical reanastomosis were performed during 6 years between January 1989 and December 1995. Follow-up of postoperative outcomes of 172 patients were identified.

The infertility rate after microsurgical tubal reanastomosis was 24.4%. Mean age of infertile group was 34.2 years old. The infertility rate according to previous sterilization type was 14.3% with ring, 45.2% with cauterization, 7.1% with Pomeroy's method and 33.4% with pelvic adhesion or hydrosalpinx. The infertility rate was higher than pregnancy rate with reconstructive tubal length less than 4cm.

We have concluded that age of patient, the type of previous sterilization, the interval between sterilization and tubal reversal, and the reconstructed tubal length agter reversal were major factors influencing infertility after tubal reversal.