Anesthesia for Tubal Ligation

Post-partum tubal ligations are done soon after the patient has delivered because the size of the uterus allows the fallopian tubes to be easily reached from a small incision which is usually placed just below the umbilicus (belly button). It should be emphasized that this is a permanent procedure and requires some planning beforehand. In fact, some insurance companies require that the surgical consent be discussed with the obstetrician and signed six weeks before the expected delivery date. If for any reason the procedure cannot be done at the time of delivery, it may be rescheduled for six weeks later when the uterus has shrunk back to its normal size.

The anesthesia for post partum tubal ligation may be either epidural, spinal, or general depending upon the circumstances of delivery. For patients who had an epidural for labor and delivery, no additional procedures are necessary for the anesthetic. A stronger solution of local anesthetic is simply injected into the epidural to provide adequate numbing to perform the operation. This is typically a short procedure and can often be done immediately after delivery. For women who have delivered in the middle of the night, the operation is usually scheduled for the following morning. In these cases, the epidural catheter is left in place and is used the next day to provide the anesthesia.

If an epidural was not used during labor, then the operation is scheduled for the next day after the patient's stomach has been empty for a minimum of six hours. In most cases, a general anesthetic is used, but spinals are also available if the patient does not wish to have a general anesthetic.