What is Closed Tubal Surgery (Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation)? Methods, Benefits and Recovery Process

Closed tubal surgery, medically known as laparoscopic tubal ligation, is a birth control method in which women's fallopian tubes are closed and pregnancy is permanently prevented. Tubal ligation prevents sperm from reaching the egg, thus preventing fertilization. In the closed (laparoscopic) method, the procedure is performed using a camera and surgical instruments through small incisions made in the abdomen. This method offers advantages such as less pain, faster recovery and minimal scarring compared to traditional open surgery. Laparoscopic tubal ligation is an effective and safe option for women who want to have permanent birth control.


 

What is Closed Tubal Surgery?

Closed tubal surgery (laparoscopic tubal ligation) is a procedure that closes the fallopian tubes, preventing sperm from reaching the egg and providing permanent birth control. In the laparoscopic method, a camera (laparoscope) and surgical instruments are inserted through small incisions in the abdomen. The fallopian tubes are tied, cut or burned closed so that the sperm cannot meet the ovaries and pregnancy is prevented.

Basic Purposes of Tubal Ligation:

• Permanent Birth Control: Tubal ligation is a permanent birth control method for women who do not want to have children or who have completed family planning.
• An Effective and Safe Method: It is a widely preferred procedure worldwide with its high success rate and reliability.

This procedure is an irreversible birth control method, so women should be completely confident when they make this decision.

Why is Tubal Ligation Performed?

Closed tubal ligation surgery can be performed for various reasons. The most common reason is to make birth control permanent. It can also be preferred in certain health conditions or high-risk pregnancies.

Main Reasons for Tubal Ligation Surgery:

• Permanent Birth Control: Tubal ligation provides a permanent solution for women who no longer want to have children.
• High-Risk Pregnancy: It may be risky for a woman to become pregnant again due to her health condition.
• Family Planning: It is a safe birth control method for couples who have completed family planning.
• Not Suitable for Other Birth Control Methods: An alternative option for women who cannot use other methods such as hormonal methods or intrauterine devices can be.

This method is ideal for women who want to provide long-term and definitive birth control.

Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation Methods

Laparoscopic tubal ligation involves closing the fallopian tubes with various techniques. Depending on the situation, the surgeon may use methods such as tying, cutting, burning or clipping the fallopian tubes.

Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation Techniques:

• Tube Ligation: The fallopian tubes are tied and the path between the sperm and the egg is permanently closed.
• Cutting and Burning: The tubes are surgically cut and their ends are burned to close them.
• Using Clips or Rings: The tubes are permanently closed by compressing them with medical devices such as clips or rings.

Each method is extremely effective in providing permanent birth control, and the most appropriate method is selected based on the patient's condition and the doctor's recommendation.

How is Closed Tube Surgery Performed?

Closed tube surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon ties or closes the fallopian tubes using a camera and surgical instruments through small incisions.

Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation Stages:

1. Anesthesia: The patient is put to sleep under general anesthesia.
2. Making the Incisions: Several small incisions are made in the abdomen (usually 0.5-1 cm).
3. Placement of the Laparoscope: The laparoscope is placed in the abdominal cavity, and with the help of this camera, the surgeon sees the fallopian tubes.
4. Tipping or Closing the Tubes: The fallopian tubes are cut, tied or burned with the help of surgical instruments.
5. Suture and Closure: The incisions are closed with stitches and the surgery is completed.

The surgery usually takes 30-60minutes and the patient can be discharged the same day or the next day.

Benefits of Tubal Ligation Surgery

Closed tube surgery offers many advantages. These advantages are related to the method providing permanent birth control and being minimally invasive.

Main Benefits of Tubal Ligation Surgery:

• Permanent Birth Control: Provides long-term protection without the risk of recurrent pregnancy.
• Fast Recovery: Recovery time is short and pain is minimal in surgeries performed with the laparoscopic method.
• Minimal Scar: It is advantageous in terms of aesthetics thanks to the small incisions.
• A Hormonal-Free Method: No hormones are administered to the body like birth control pills or hormone-containing methods, so hormonal side effects are not observed.

This benefits make tubal ligation a permanent and reliable birth control method.

Post-Operative Recovery Process

The recovery process after laparoscopic tubal ligation surgery is quite fast. Patients can usually return to their daily activities within a few days, but some important points should be taken into consideration for a full recovery.

Post-Operative Considerations:

• Rest: It is important to rest for the first few days, except for light activities.
• Pain Management: There may be mild pain after surgery, which can be controlled with painkillers prescribed by the doctor.
• Avoid Heavy Lifting: Heavy lifting should be avoided for the first 1-2 weeks.
• Return to Sexual Intercourse: Sexual intercourse can usually be resumed after 1-2 weeks with the doctor's approval.
• Wound Care: Keeping surgical incisions clean reduces the risk of infection.

Full recovery time is usually between 1-2 weeks, but following the doctor's recommendations will speed up the healing process.

Risks of Closed Tube Surgery

As with any surgical procedure, closed tube surgery also has some risks. These risks are rare, but follow-up after surgery is important.

Possible Risks:

• Infection: There is a risk of infection in the incisions after surgery.
• Bleeding: Bleeding may occur during or after surgery, but this is rare.
• Organ Damage: In rare cases, damage to organs in the abdomen may occur during surgery.
• Failure: In very rare cases, tubal ligation may fail and the woman may become pregnant again.

These risks are very low in laparoscopic tubal ligation surgeries performed by experienced surgeons.

Closed Tubal Surgery and Pregnancy Risk

Closed tubal ligation surgery is a very effective birth control method, but in rare cases, failure can occur. The tubes can rejoin, which can lead to a risk of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Risk:

• Failure Rate: The failure rate of tubal ligation surgery is very low (less than 1%). However, there is a possibility that the tubes may reunite.
• Ectopic Pregnancy Risk: If pregnancy occurs in the event of failure, this pregnancy may develop in the fallopian tubes (ectopic pregnancy) and this requires urgent intervention.

Although the risk of pregnancy after surgery is low, doctor check-ups and regular follow-up are important.

Pre-Operative Preparation

Preparations to be made before closed tube surgery are important for the surgery to go smoothly and for the healing process to be comfortable.

Things to Do Before Surgery:

• Blood Tests: The doctor may request the necessary blood tests before the surgery.
• Food and Medications: It may be necessary not to eat or drink water the night before the surgery.
• Smoking and Alcohol: Smoking and alcohol consumption should be avoided, as they can negatively affect the healing process.
• Meeting with the Doctor: Before the surgery, discuss all your questions and You should be prepared by discussing your concerns.

These preparations are important for the surgery to be successful and to minimize the risk of complications.

Suitable Candidates for Closed Tube Surgery

Closed tube surgeryti is a suitable method for women who want to achieve permanent birth control. However, since this decision is irreversible, careful consideration should be given before making the decision to have surgery.

Who is Suitable for Tubal Ligation?

• Women Who Have Completed Family Planning: Suitable for women who no longer plan to have children.
• Those Who Are Not Suitable for Other Birth Control Methods: Those Who Are Not Suitable for Hormonal or Temporary Birth Control Methods.
• Women Who Have Had High-Risk Pregnancies: Women for whom getting pregnant is risky due to health problems.

A detailed interview with the doctor should be held before the decision to have surgery to assess suitability.

Permanence of Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation

Laparoscopic tubal ligation is a permanent birth control method. With this procedure, the tubes are cut or closed, which prevents eggs from reaching the uterus and sperm from fertilizing them. Tubal ligation is not a reversible procedure, but in rare cases, reversal is possible with tubal reanastomosis. However, this procedure is quite difficult and has a low success rate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How long does laparoscopic tubal ligation surgery take?
The surgery usually takes 30 to 60 minutes and the patient can be discharged the same day.

2. How long does it take for me to recover after surgery?
Full recovery usually occurs within 1-2 weeks. However, daily activities can be resumed within a few days.

3. Can I have children again after laparoscopic tubal ligation?
Tubal ligation is a permanent birth control method. In very rare cases, the tubes may unclog on their own, but this is very unlikely.

4. When can I start having sex after surgery?
Sexual intercourse should be avoided for the period recommended by your doctor (usually a few weeks).

5. Is laparoscopic tubal ligation painful?
There may be mild pain and discomfort after surgery, but this can be controlled with painkillers.

6. Is tubal ligation reversible?
Tubal ligation is permanent, but in some cases it may be possible to reopen the tubes. This procedure is a difficult surgical procedure with a low success rate.