Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Tubal ligation

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Sterilization surgery - female; Tubal sterilization; Tube tying; Tying the tubes; Hysteroscopic tubal occlusion procedure


Risks

Risks for any surgery are:

  • Bleeding
  • Damage to other organs (bowel or urinary systems) needing more surgery for repair
  • Infection

Risks for any anesthesia are:

  • Allergic reactions to medicines
  • Breathing problems or pneumonia
  • Heart problems

Risks for tubal ligation are:

  • Incomplete closing of the tubes, which could make pregnancy still possible. About 1 out of 200 women who have had tubal ligation get pregnant later.
  • Increased risk of a tubal (ectopic) pregnancy if pregnancy occurs after a tubal ligation
  • Injury to nearby organs or tissues from surgical instruments


Review Date: 02/28/2011
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Bellevue, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)