Tubectomy Surgery - What to Expect & Procedures

by Dr. N Sapna Lulla

What do you mean by tubectomy surgery?

Tubectomy or tubal sterilization is a permanent method of contraception for women. This is a surgical procedure that clips fallopian tubes, hence preventing the egg released by the ovary from reaching the end destination i.e uterus.

Do any indications require to get tubectomy?

A tubectomy is performed when a woman who doesn’t wish to have a child in the future, voluntarily requests this method of sterilization. 

A woman who wants to opt for permanent sterilization through tubectomy needs to consider the following points:

  • Think about the reasons one wants to opt for a tubectomy surgery
  • Whether the surgery is the best option 
  • Think of the side effects, complications and risks associated with the surgery
  • Think whether the other options of contraception are more suitable or not

However, every person is different and according to a study done in 2012 it was suggested that people who went ahead with this surgery regret getting it because:

  • They were very young when they did it
  • Had zero to few kids
  • Went for this procedure because their partner wanted it
  • Went for tubal surgery thinking that it might solve their financial issues

People who opt for tubal litigation and change their minds later, don’t worry because tubal reversal may be possible. Although, it requires the person to go through a major surgery that may not always be effective. Roughly around 40% to 60% of people who go ahead with the reversal get pregnant.

What are the things to consider when you get tubectomy surgery?

A person who is opting for a tubectomy surgery should consider it because:

Extremely effective contraception: Only 1 in 100 women get pregnant each year after going through this process, making it a way more effective method compared to pills or condoms.

Less risk of getting cancer: A large-scale study suggests that women who underwent this surgery had reduced risks of the fallopian tube, and ovarian cancer.

How does tubectomy surgery feel?

The best gynaecology hospital in Bangalore will make sure that the procedure goes smoothly. You will be given local anaesthesia and the doctor may also provide you medicine that will help relax and get more comfortable. In addition, with conscious sedation, the person feels awake but extremely relaxed. With local anaesthesia, you sleep through the procedure. The type of treatment depends on what kind of procedure you are having. 

How to prepare for the surgery?

Before the surgery, the doctor may ask you a couple of questions such as the reason behind getting the sterilization. At the same time, the medical professional will review the following things with you:

  • Risks and benefits that come with the surgery
  • In-depth details of the procedure 
  • The cause and probability of the surgery failing 
  • Ways you can prevent sexually transmitted diseases
  • The best time to perform this procedure is shortly after childbirth or in combination with another abdominal surgery like C-section.
  • Pre Evaluation & review of blood investigations.

If you are planning to not have a tubectomy surgery right after childbirth or during C-section, consider taking contraception for at least a month before the procedure and continue to consume it until the date of surgery.

What happens during the tubectomy surgery?

There are different types of sterilization. With tubectomy, the doctor will either block or remove small sections of the fallopian tubes. Whereas, with a bilateral salpingectomy, doctors remove the tubes completely. There are different ways the best obstetrician & gynaecologist in Bangalore can perform the sterilization procedure.

The most common procedure today is laparoscopy. First, you get the local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia - will put you to sleep. Then the doctor will pump gas inside your stomach to see your organs. Then they will go on to make 1 or 2 small cuts near the belly and use a laparoscopy (this is a tool with a light and a lens in the end) to find the fallopian tubes. Then the doctor clips off the tubes or removes them completely laparoscopicly. The whole thing can take about 20-30 minutes and the patients are discharged the same day. There is none to very little scarring.

Another fairly common procedure is known as mini-laparotomy and is often performed right after childbirth. This procedure requires 24 hrs to recover.

Conclusion

Tubectomy surgery is one of the safest and effective ways to prevent pregnancy permanently. Although before you agree, analyse the situation, risk and benefits completely with your friends, family and doctor and then come to the final decision. Furthermore, make sure to ask your doctor every question you can think of.

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