What is laparoscopic sterilisation?
It involves blocking or removing both fallopian tubes (tubes that carry the egg from your ovary to your womb and sperm to the egg). So this operation will prevent you from becoming pregnant.
What does the operation involve?
Your gynaecologist doctor will make a small cut, near your belly button, so they can insert an instrument in your abdominal cavity to inflate it with gas (carbon dioxide). They will usually make a further cut on your ‘bikini’ line so they can insert tubes (ports) into your abdomen. Your gynaecologist will insert instruments through the ports along with a telescope so they can see inside your abdomen and perform the sterilisation.
The fallopian tube can be cauterised, tied and cut or clipped.
Important points to consider before surgery:
- Pre-operative clearance by an anesthetic doctor will involve undergoing blood tests, urine tests, an electrocardiogram (ECG), and a chest X-ray.
- General anesthesia is commonly used for the surgery. You will receive an injection that induces sudden sleep, and you will wake up in the operating room where medical staff will transfer you from the surgery table to a bed.
- During the procedure, you will be intubated and ventilated. This means a tube will be inserted down your throat after you are asleep to assist with breathing.
- Urinary catheterization will be performed to collect urine during the surgery. A tube will be inserted into your urethra, but it will be removed before you regain consciousness.
- It is necessary to refrain from eating or drinking for several hours before the surgery to minimize the risk of complications like aspiration pneumonia.
- After the surgery, you will recover in a post-surgery recovery room for a few hours or until you can walk to the toilet and urinate.
- Pain while urinating may occur due to the urinary catheterization procedure. This can last for a day after the procedure.
- Abdominal discomfort of varying degrees may be experienced during the recovery period, lasting a couple of days.
- Reversing a tubal ligation procedure is easier if clips or rings were used to tie the fallopian tubes, compared to procedures involving the burning of the tubes using electrocautery.
Tubal ligation is a permanent and highly effective birth control option for individuals who are certain about their decision to prevent future pregnancies. Its success rate and permanence make it a reliable choice for those seeking long-term contraception. However, due to its irreversibility, careful consideration is necessary to ensure that it aligns with an individual’s family planning goals. It is crucial to discuss all available options, potential risks, and personal considerations with a healthcare professional before making a final decision.
