Tubal Ligation and Tubal Implants

Tubal ligation. Major complications of tubal ligation aren't common.

• Minor complications include infection and wound separation.
• Major complications include heavy blood loss, Reference general anesthesia problems, organ injury during surgery, and need for a larger laparotomy incision during surgery.

Although fewer complications occur with laparoscopy than with other kinds of tubal ligation surgery, these complications can be more serious. For example, in rare cases, the bowel or bladder is injured when the laparoscope is inserted.

The general risks of surgery are greater if you have Reference diabetes Opens New Window, are overweight, smoke, or have a heart condition.

Tubal implants. There are rare reports of implants causing pelvic pain that doesn't go away. In these cases, the implants were removed 6 weeks after they were placed in the fallopian tubes.^{Reference 2} The risk of pelvic infection is greater with tubal implants. Before you receive implants, you will be tested to make sure that you don't have a vaginal infection or a Reference sexually transmitted infection (STI) Opens New Window.

Ectopic pregnancy risk

If a tubal ligation or implant fails and you become pregnant, you have an increased risk of having an Reference ectopic pregnancy Opens New Window. Ectopic pregnancies can occur years after the tubal ligation and are most likely 3 or more years after the procedure.^{Reference 3} For more information, see the topic Reference Ectopic Pregnancy.

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