tubal ligation; bilateral tubal ligation

Introduction

bilateral tubal ligation

Indications

• reproductive sterilization
  • parous women over 30 wishing infertility
    • probability of pregnancy was 0% in women > 34 years, 2-8% in women 25-34 years
      • 21% of pregnancies are ectopic

Procedure

• ligation of fallopian tubes*

*Generally considered safe & effective.

Complications

• hysteroscopic sterilization associated with a lower risk of iatrogenic complications (RR=0.35), but a 10-fold risk of need for repeat procedure compared with laparoscopic sterilization
• hysteroscopic vs laparoscopic sterilization associated lower risk for surgical or medical complications during hospitalization (0.13% vs 0.78%), but higher risk for tubal disorder or surgery at 1 & 3 years (0.70% vs 0.23%)
• unintended pregnancy rare after either procedure (~1%)
• surgical & major medical complications at 30 days (< 0.5%)

More general terms

• gynecologic surgery
• reproductive sterilization

More specific terms

• tubal ligation; bilateral tubal ligation