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Tubal ligation - Risks

Alternative Names

Sterilization surgery - female; Tubal sterilization; Tube tying; Tying the tubes

Risks:

Risks for tubal ligation include:

Incomplete closing of the tubes, which could result in a future pregnancy (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 structures caused by surgical instruments

Risks due to anesthesia include:

Problems breathing
Reactions to medications

Risks of any surgery include:

Bleeding
Infection

Tubal ligation

Tubal ligation - series

Reviewed last on: 2/19/2008
Peter Chen, MD, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby; 2007.

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