Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation in Women with Previous Pelvic or Abdominal Surgery.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Laparoscopic tubal ligation (LTL) is a surgical procedure done on women as a permanent method of contraception and the most prevalent form of contraception worldwide. Study design: We have prospectively collected and evaluated data for 50 women with previous pelvic or abdominal surgery who underwent LTL in the family planning clinic at our tertiary care referral hospital from October 2007 to July 2009. Results: The mean age of patients was 29 years and mean parity 3.2. The most common previous pelvic or abdominal surgeries were caesarean sections followed by open appendicectomy. Omental adhesions up to abdominal wall and in the pelvis were seen in 10 (20%) patients; adhesions to the bladder were observed in 4 (8%) and perihepatic adhesions in 3 (6%) patients; flimsy peritubal and periovarian adhesions were detected in 16 (32%) patients. Conclusion: In women with previous pelvic or abdominal surgery, keeping in mind the risk of postsurgical adhesions, LTL can be performed safely with low morbidity.