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Tubal ligation - Risks

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

Tubal ligation

Tubal ligation - series

Reviewed last on: 2/28/2011
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.

References

Mishell DR Jr. Family planning: contraception, sterilization, and pregnancy termination. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 14.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Sterilization by laparoscopy. ACOG Education Pamphlet AP035. February 2003. Accessed January 7, 2011.

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