The Complications of Female Sterilisation Reversal Surgery

There can be concerns with surgery and some people are more apprehensive than others about the prospect of having a general anaesthetic.

1. Infections

These can occur with any operation but are a rare complication for female sterilisation reversal surgery. It is possible that you could develop a wound infection, urinary infection or chest infection. These are usually easy to treat with antibiotics.

2. Bleeding

Serious bleeding is extremely rare for this type of surgery. Bruising is more common and will usually settle on its own.

3. Bruising

There will usually be some bruising around the wound but this will settle on its own after a few days.

4. Damage to other internal organs

Theoretically this can occur but is exceptionally unlikely unless you have had previous surgery or infections in your abdomen.

5. Blood Clots

Clots in the legs and/or the lungs is a risk for all operations. To minimise this risk you will have a risk assessment undertaken prior to surgery and this will highlight which risk category you are in and appropriate treatment wil be given. For most women undertaking female sterilisation reversal surgery, this will be to wear special anti-embolus stockings and the use of flow-tron boots (which massage your legs) in theatre.

6. Not possible to reverse either of the tubes

Very occasionally, <o.5% of cases, it may not be possible to reverse the sterilisation procedure in either of the tubes. This may be due to the damage caused by clips, or the amount of tubes removed during the original sterilisation.