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Tubal ligation

• Overview
• Recovery
• Risks

Alternative Names:

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

Risks:

Risks for tubal ligation include:

• Incomplete closure of the tubes, which could result in woman getting pregnant in the future -- approximately 1 out of 200 women who have had tubal ligation get pregnant later
• Increased risk of an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy if pregnancy occurs after a tubal ligation
• Injury to nearby organs or structures caused by surgical instruments

Risks due to anesthesia include:

• Reactions to medications
• Problems breathing

Risks of any surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Infection

• Review Date: 6/6/2006
• Reviewed By: Audra Robertson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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