women s health issues
Permanent Contraception
Permanent contraception by laparoscopy
Laparoscopic tubal sterilization is commonly done. This procedure is done in an operating room. After women are given a general anesthetic, doctors make small incisions just below the navel. Doctors then insert a thin viewing tube ( Laparoscopy ) through an incision and work through the laparoscope to remove, disrupt, and/or seal off the fallopian tubes by doing one of the following: Using electrocautery (a device that produces an electrical current to cut through tissue) to completely remove the tubes or to seal off about 1 inch of each tube Applying devices, such as plastic bands or metal clips, to block the tubes or pinch and hold them closed After this procedure, the woman usually goes home the same day. Up to 6% of women have minor complications, such as a skin infection or pain at the incision site or constipation. Fewer than 1% have major complications, such as bleeding or punctures of the bladder or intestine. Both fallopian tubes (which carry the egg from the ovaries to the uterus) are cut, sealed, or blocked so that sperm cannot reach the egg to fertilize it. 