Laparoscopic Sterilization: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

Laparoscopic sterilization is also known as bilateral tubal ligation. This is a permanent method of birth control as in this surgical treatment, a woman's eggs are prevented from traveling through the fallopian tube. Thus, any chances of fertilization by a sperm cell is prevented. This treatment blocks the fallopian tubes through the technique of laparoscopy, which is minimally invasive. This treatment is permanent and once the fallopian tubes are blocked, they cannot be reopened. Sometimes the fallopian tubes are clamped or sometimes they are severed and sealed. About 20% of women choose the method of laparoscopic sterilization as a method of birth control. Women tend to choose this method of birth control when they have reached a certain age and do not want to conceive anymore. It is a very common method of birth control in the United States of America. The fallopian tubes are situated on either side of the uterus and connect the ovaries with the uterus. In laparoscopy, the physician makes a small incision near the navel to complete tubal ligation. The small size of the incision reduces the recovery time and the patient is allowed to leave the facility center in four hours.

In Laproscopic sterilization, a small incision is made in or near the navel of the patient, through which an instrument called the laparoscope is inserted. Another small incision may be made for another instrument to close or remove the fallopian tubes of the patient. Bands or clips are used to close or seal off the fallopian tubes. They are sometimes cut and sealed with specialized threads but now, mostly electric current is used to seal off the fallopian tubes of the patient. After this has been done, the laparoscope is taken out of the patient. Then the incisions are closed or sealed with stitches or specialized tapes. This is a mode of tubal sterilization. There are other ways like mini-laparotomy and hysteroscopy but laparoscopic sterilization is the most effective one. The recovery time is also very less and the complications involved are very few. Also, it is effective right away and the patient can go home within a few hours of the surgery. The laparoscope is a flexible viewing and operating tube that is inserted. Two or more incisions are done – one is about 12mm in size and is placed within the belly button. The other incision usually made on the lower abdomen is about 5mm in diameter.

Before choosing laparoscopic sterilization, one should be very particular about the decision. There have been reported cases of reversing the results of the surgery in some women, but the process is permanent in nature. Women who are absolutely sure that they no longer want to conceive can undergo this treatment. But those who want a temporary solution of birth control should go for a less permanent form of contraception, like condoms, birth control pills, etc. And if you are not sure about undergoing surgery, your partner can undergo vasectomy to prevent the sperms from getting transported. This is a more safe option.

Under normal circumstances, all women are eligible to undergo sterilization and no medical conditions usually prevent a woman from undergoing laparoscopic sterilization. But there is definitely some parameters that need to be kept in mind while undergoing surgery. If the patient has ever had a female condition or problems like infection or cancer then the laparoscopic sterilization should be delayed and performed under caution. Also, parameters like heart problems, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, etc., should be taken into account. Also, before conducting the treatment, the physician should be aware of any long-term disease that the patient has been suffering from. Women with even complicated conditions like HIV can undergo this treatment but under proper medical supervision.

There are some common side effects of laparoscopic sterilization like skin irritation and bladder infection but they are not very severe. More severe and dangerous complications are pretty rare in this treatment. Some of the more severe complications are listed as follows –

1. Allergic reactions in the body
2. Formation of blood clots
3. Urinal problems
4. Damage to the nerves
5. Adhesion
6. Sometimes the process of surgery can damage the bladder, the bowel, the uterus, an abdominal blood vessel or any other pelvic organs.

   There may be some prevailing conditions which further increase the risk of the above-mentioned complications. This may be a previous abdominal surgery, chronic bowel disease, extreme endometriosis, obesity, underweight, or any other pelvic infection. The gas that is used to fill the abdominal cavity may also induce a complication if by chance it enters the blood. You should keep an eye out for any side effects and should immediately report to a doctor.

After the surgery, the patient is released within four to six hours. After this, painkillers should be taken for the first few days of the surgery. Anti-inflammatory medicines should also be taken on a regular basis and along with them, narcotics should be administered is the patient requires them. After 2-3 days of the surgery, the patient can return to work, but it is recommended not to indulge in any heavy activity that involves any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise which may cause damage to the operation site. Also, the patient must look out for any side effects and in the case of noticing a side effect, should consult a doctor immediately.

The recovery time varies for every individual and depends on the type of procedure performed. Some are released from the hospital and are free to go home after a few hours of the surgery. Some are kept under observation for one or more nights if the patient start to show any side effects after the surgery. Depending on how the surgery went, you may have to take rest for a few days to a few weeks. Sometimes, it may take more than a month to return to the normal routine. At the time of recovery, one must be very careful about the appearance of any side effects and should immediately consult the doctor if there are any.

In India, sterilization as a concept is not very widespread. Even if people go for sterilization, they choose temporary methods of birth control such as birth control pills and condoms. Laparoscopic sterilization is available at some renowned hospitals in the country. The consultation fees of the doctors range from Rs. 300 to about Rs. 1000. The price of the surgery depends on the doctor performing the surgery and where he is operating the patient. Thus, the cost is variable, and while its affordable for some, it can be costly for others.

Laparoscopic sterilization is a permanent method of birth control where the fallopian tubes are mitigated so that the egg is not able to meet the sperm and fertilization cannot take place. But in some cases, and in very rare ones, the results of the surgery has been reversed. But under normal circumstances, it is an irreversible process and women should undergo the surgery only when they are 100% sure about it.

A lot of options are available for women who want some solution for birth control. This is a permanent method but there are a host of temporary ones that anyone can apply. Oral contraceptives are a very popular choice among women. Also, male sterilization or vasectomy could be an option since it is safer than tubectomy. The use of barriers like male condoms, diaphragm or cervical caps, and female condoms are easy and effective. Abstinence from sex still remains the best way to control birth.