Tubal Ligation

In tubal ligation procedures – known to many as “having your tubes tied” – the fallopian tubes are occluded (blocked or cut) to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg.

According to a 1998 study, more than 700,000 American women a year undergo tubal ligation procedures. Tubal ligation can be performed with traditional “open” surgery or with a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure.

As you’d expect, the minimally invasive method results in smaller scars, less pain and a faster return to normal activities. Recovery time for a minimally invasive laparoscopic tubal ligation is about one week or less. Recovery after open surgery can be twice as long.

Common types of tubal ligation procedures include:

• Pomeroy Tubal Ligation

  With the Pomeroy ligation technique, each fallopian tube is tied and cut and a section of the tube may be removed. This procedure can be performed using minimally invasive techniques.

  With all types of tubal ligation, the failure rate is about 1.5 percent – meaning 15 in 1,000 women who have a procedure will get pregnant.

• Electrocoagulation

  This is probably the most common form of tubal ligation, in which electrical current is used to destroy a portion of each fallopian tube. This procedure can be performed using minimally invasive techniques.

  With all types of tubal ligation, the failure rate is about 1.5 percent – meaning 15 in 1,000 women who have a procedure will get pregnant.

• Mechanical

  In this type of procedure, special bands or clips are used to close off the fallopian tubes. This results in scarring which prevents sperm from fertilizing the egg. This procedure can be performed using minimally invasive techniques.

  With all types of tubal ligation, the failure rate is about 1.5 percent – meaning 15 in 1,000 women who have a procedure will get pregnant.

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