Tubal ligation
Tubal ligation is a procedure suitable for women who have definitively completed their family planning, regardless of whether a woman has ever had a child or has been pregnant. It is a permanent form of contraception, meaning that it is not necessarily reversible.
Like almost all contraceptive methods in Switzerland, tubal ligation is not covered by mandatory health insurance. This means that women who choose to undergo this procedure must bear the costs themselves (approximately CHF 1,800). The effectiveness of this method is over 99%.
Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure and is performed in the operating room under anesthesia.
The type of anesthesia used is decided by the anesthesiologist. In most cases, it is general anesthesia, meaning that the women undergoing this operation are asleep during the procedure.
The abdomen is disinfected and then covered with sterile drapes. The first incision is made below the navel. Through this incision, both the camera and the light source are inserted. To create more space, air is insufflated into the abdominal cavity. Under direct visualization, two additional small incisions, each approximately 5 mm long, are made in the lower abdomen on the right and left sides. Two further instruments are inserted through these incisions.
The abdominal cavity is inspected, and photographic documentation is created so that we can show and explain to you after the operation how the procedure was performed.
The fallopian tubes are severed on both sides using electrical current.
The air is removed from the abdominal cavity as completely as possible. The surgical wounds are then closed with sutures.
The procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis. In very rare cases, hospitalization may be required if complications occur during surgery.
Overall, tubal ligation is considered a low-risk procedure. The most common side effects are shoulder pain, bruising at the incision sites, and numbness of the skin around the incisions. In rare cases, infections or injuries to internal organs may occur.
Tubal ligation is considered a permanent method of contraception and can only be reversed in exceptional cases. If pregnancy does occur in rare instances, there is a risk that the fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tube, resulting in an ectopic pregnancy.
If you have any questions, you are welcome to book a non-binding consultation appointment.
In our GynSurgery team, tubal ligation is performed by experienced surgeons.
