What should you know about complications of salpingectomy?

Salpingectomy removes one or both fallopian tubes. After surgery, soreness, tiredness, bloating, and a small amount of vaginal bleeding can occur, especially when keyhole surgery has been used. The operation can sometimes cause heavier bleeding, infection in the wound or pelvis, a collection of blood, or slower healing. Nearby structures such as the bladder, bowel, ureter, blood vessels, or ovary can rarely be injured.

Removing a tube does not remove the ovaries. If one healthy tube remains, natural pregnancy may still be possible, although fertility depends on the remaining tube and other factors. Removal of both tubes prevents natural passage of an egg to the womb. Your surgeon can explain how the procedure relates to ectopic pregnancy or another reason for surgery.

Keep the wound clean and follow the discharge instructions about bathing, lifting, driving, exercise, and sex. Take prescribed medicines exactly as directed and attend the follow-up appointment. Gentle movement can help recovery, while worsening pain, fever, or new discharge should be reported rather than managed by changing treatment yourself.

If the operation followed an ectopic pregnancy, ask when pregnancy testing and follow-up blood tests are needed. Discuss contraception or future pregnancy planning before stopping any method, particularly if one tube remains.

Seek urgent medical care for severe or increasing abdominal pain, fainting, heavy bleeding, a swollen or hard abdomen, fever with feeling unwell, pus or spreading redness at an incision, repeated vomiting, chest pain, sudden breathlessness, or a painful swollen leg. These symptoms can signal bleeding, infection, or a clot and need prompt assessment.

Ask which symptoms are expected, how the operation affected your fertility, when normal activities can resume, whether pathology results need discussion, and who to contact outside clinic hours.