Laparoscopic sterilisation

Laparoscopic sterilisation is a procedure that gives women a safe, convenient and permanent form of contraception.

This webpage offers information about laparoscopic sterilisation. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or other relevant health professional.

What is laparoscopic sterilisation?

Laparoscopic sterilisation is a permanent method of female birth control. It blocks or removes both fallopian tubes to prevent pregnancy.

What are the benefits of laparoscopic sterilisation surgery?

Laparoscopic sterilisation is chosen by many women in the UK to prevent pregnancy.

Laparoscopic sterilisation is a highly effective form of birth control, you will no longer need to use another form of contraception, and it offers fast recovery and minimal scarring.

Are there any alternatives to sterilisation?

A coil, hormone implants or, for men, a vasectomy are common methods of contraception, which have a similarly low failure rate.

What does a laparoscopic sterilisation procedure involve?

Laparoscopic sterilisation is a minimally invasive procedure performed under a general anaesthetic that usually takes about twenty minutes.

Your gynaecologist will make several small cuts on your abdomen (see figure 1).

They will place surgical instruments along with a telescope with a camera, known as a laparoscope, inside your abdomen and perform the laparoscopic sterilisation procedure.

The most common method of sterilisation is to block each fallopian tube by putting a clip on it. Alternatively, a laparoscopic sterilisation procedure can involve removing your fallopian tubes to prevent any future pregnancies.

What complications can happen after laparoscopic sterilisation?

1) General complications

• Pain after laparoscopic sterilisation
• Feeling or being sick
• Bleeding
• Infection of the surgical site (wound)
• Unsightly scarring
• Blood clots

2) Specific complication

• Making a hole in the womb or cervix
• Surgical emphysema
• Failed procedure
• Infection of the gynaecological organs or bladder
• Ectopic pregnancy

How soon will it take for laparoscopic sterilisation recovery?

Laparoscopic sterilisation recovery will vary from patient to patient.

You should be able to go home the same day as your laparoscopic sterilisation procedure.

You should rest for the first day or two.

You can expect to go back to work within one week

Summary of laparoscopic sterilisation

Laparoscopic sterilisation is a permanent method of female contraception.

Laparoscopic sterilisation at Ramsay Health Care UK

Laparoscopic sterilisation is performed by Ramsay Health Care UK at one of our local and convenient hospitals.

Our expert, experienced, and caring gynaecologists regularly perform laparoscopic sterilisation procedures to provide patients with a safe birth control option with fast recovery times.

We have extensive safety measures to prevent infection and to keep you safe whilst you are at our hospitals. Virtual consultations, optimised patient flow, regular and comprehensive cleaning regimes, social distancing and PPE are measures we have in place to look after you.