Ovarian reserve and ovarian stromal blood supply after tubal ligation by the Pomeroy technique: Comparison with controls

Abstract

Objective. To determine if women who undergo tubal sterilization by the Pomeroy technique have any risk of a subsequent significant decrease in ovarian reserve and vascular support inside the ovary, by means of stromal artery Doppler ultrasonography.Methods. Between March 2000 and September 2004, 108 healthy volunteers underwent mini-laparatomic tubal ligation using the modified Pomeroy technique (study group). As a control group, 102 age-matched women were recruited. The main outcome measurements were blood levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone and estradiol, ovarian volume, number of antral follicles and Doppler indices of the ovarian stromal arteries on the third day of the cycle immediately before, 1 month and 12 months after the surgical intervention.Results. In the study group and control group, results of the main outcome measurements immediately before, 1 month and 12 months after the surgical intervention did not show any significant difference except one. There was a significant elevation of FSH levels after 1 and 12 months, which was statistically significant (p < 0.05) in the study group.Conclusion. The 12-month follow-up of patients suggests that there is neither a decrease in ovarian reserve nor an adverse effect on the blood supply of ovarian stroma after tubal sterilization by the modified Pomeroy technique. A significant elevation of FSH levels was observed at 1 and 12 months after the operation.