Salpingectomy
What is a Salpingectomy?
A salpingectomy is a surgical procedure to remove one or both fallopian tubes, often performed to treat conditions like ectopic pregnancy, tubal infections, or as a preventive measure for ovarian cancer risk. It can be unilateral (one tube) or bilateral (both tubes) and may be combined with other procedures like oophorectomy or hysterectomy. In India, salpingectomies are conducted in obstetrics and gynecology departments at hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, and AIIMS, offering advanced care at affordable costs. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) is essential for patients in India to make informed decisions.
Why do you need Salpingectomy?
Salpingectomy is indicated for:
- Therapeutic purposes:
- Ectopic pregnancy: Pregnancy in the fallopian tube (95% of ectopic cases); requires removal if ruptured or nonviable.
- Tubal infection: Severe pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or hydrosalpinx (fluid-filled tube) causing pain or infertility.
- Tubal torsion: Rare twisting of the fallopian tube, often with a cyst, causing severe pain.
- Endometriosis: When tubal involvement causes significant pain or infertility.
- Tubal cancer: Rare primary fallopian tube cancer or as part of ovarian cancer staging.
- Preventive (prophylactic):
- High genetic risk: BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations (10–20% lifetime ovarian cancer risk linked to tubal origin); often bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO).
- Opportunistic: During other pelvic surgeries (e.g., hysterectomy) to reduce ovarian cancer risk in average-risk women.
- Sterilization:
- Bilateral salpingectomy: Increasingly used as a permanent contraception method (more effective than tubal ligation).
- Other:
- As part of cancer treatment: With oophorectomy for ovarian/endometrial cancer.
- Infertility treatment: Removal of a hydrosalpinx before in vitro fertilization (IVF) to improve success rates (hydrosalpinx reduces IVF success by 50%).
The procedure aims to treat acute conditions, reduce cancer risk, or improve fertility outcomes (e.g., IVF). Bilateral salpingectomy ends natural fertility but does not affect hormonal function unless combined with oophorectomy.
Why Do Salpingectomy Costs Vary in India?
Costs range from ₹60,000 to ₹2 lakh:
- Procedure Type: Laparoscopic unilateral (₹60,000–₹1.2 lakh); bilateral or with cancer staging (₹1.2–2 lakh); open (₹80,000–₹1.5 lakh).
- Hospital/Location: Higher in metro cities (Apollo, Fortis); lower in government hospitals (AIIMS, ₹20,000–₹50,000).
- Surgeon’s Expertise: Experienced gynecologists or oncologists charge more.
- Additional Costs: Anesthesia (₹10,000–₹20,000), hospital stay (₹5,000–₹15,000/day), pathology (₹2,000–₹5,000).
- Insurance: Covered for therapeutic or prophylactic indications; confirm with your provider.
Salpingectomy Procedure
- Before Surgery Evaluation:
- Diagnosis:
- Transvaginal ultrasound: Confirms ectopic pregnancy, hydrosalpinx, or tubal masses.
- MRI/CT (if cancer suspected): Evaluates spread (e.g., lymph nodes, peritoneum).
- Blood tests: β-hCG (for ectopic pregnancy), CA-125 (if cancer suspected), hemoglobin, and clotting profile.
- Laparoscopy (diagnostic): Sometimes needed to confirm ectopic pregnancy or tubal pathology.
- Medications: Stop blood thinners (e.g., aspirin) 5–7 days prior; antibiotics (e.g., cefazolin) pre-surgery.
- Consent: Risks, including fertility impact, are explained.
- Diagnosis:
- Surgical Techniques:
- Laparoscopic Salpingectomy:
- Minimally invasive, lasting 30–90 minutes, under general anesthesia.
- 3–4 small incisions (0.5–1 cm) in the abdomen (one near the navel, others lower).
- CO2 gas inflates the abdomen for visualization.
- A laparoscope (camera) guides the procedure; the fallopian tube is detached from the uterus and ovary using laparoscopic tools (e.g., cautery, clips).
- The tube is placed in an endobag and removed through an incision to prevent spillage (esp. if cancer or infection).
- Open (Abdominal) Salpingectomy:
- Performed through a larger incision (5–15 cm, horizontal or vertical), lasting 1–2 hours.
- Used for ruptured ectopic pregnancy with significant bleeding, extensive adhesions, or cancer staging.
- The tube is removed; additional procedures (e.g., oophorectomy) may be done.
- Unilateral vs. Bilateral:
- Unilateral: Preserves fertility if the other tube is healthy (50–70% chance of natural conception).
- Bilateral: Ends natural fertility; often used for sterilization or cancer prevention.
- Intraoperative Tools:
- Laparoscope: Visualizes pelvic structures.
- Endobag: Prevents spillage of tubal contents.
- Frozen section: Immediate pathology (if cancer suspected) to guide further surgery.
- Laparoscopic Salpingectomy:
- After Surgery:
- Hospital stay: 1–2 days (laparoscopic); 3–5 days (open).
- Pain management: IV analgesics (e.g., morphine) for 1–2 days, then oral (e.g., ibuprofen).
- Antibiotics: For 1–2 days (or longer if infection, e.g., PID).
- Pathology report: Within 5–7 days (confirms diagnosis, e.g., ectopic pregnancy, cancer).
- Instructions: Avoid heavy lifting or intercourse for 4–6 weeks.
Recovery After Salpingectomy
- Hospital Stay: 1–2 days (laparoscopic); 3–5 days (open).
- Post-Surgery Care:
- Pain: Incision pain and shoulder discomfort (from CO2 gas, laparoscopic) for 3–5 days (laparoscopic) or 1–2 weeks (open), managed with analgesics.
- Activity: Walking within 24 hours to prevent clots; avoid heavy lifting (>5 kg) or strenuous activity for 4–6 weeks (laparoscopic) or 6–8 weeks (open).
- Bleeding: Light vaginal spotting for 1–2 weeks; heavy bleeding is abnormal.
- Hormonal function: Unaffected unless combined with oophorectomy; menstruation resumes in 4–6 weeks.
- Intercourse: Avoid for 4–6 weeks until healed.
- Bowel/bladder: Normal function resumes in 1–3 days; laxatives if constipated.
- Diet: Start with liquids, progress to solids; high-protein foods (e.g., eggs, lentils) and fiber (e.g., fruits) aid healing; 2–3 liters water daily.
- Follow-Up:
- Visit at 1–2 weeks for wound check; 6 weeks for recovery assessment.
- Fertility counseling (unilateral): Assess remaining tube with hysterosalpingogram (HSG) if conception delayed.
- Oncology referral (if cancer): For adjuvant therapy (e.g., chemotherapy).
Most resume normal activities in 2–4 weeks (laparoscopic) or 4–6 weeks (open). Symptom relief: 90–95% for ectopic pregnancy or pain (e.g., hydrosalpinx). IVF success rates improve by 50–70% after hydrosalpinx removal.
Risks and Complications
- Surgical Risks:
- Bleeding (2–5%): 1–2% may need transfusion; rare reoperation (e.g., ruptured ectopic).
- Infection (1–3%): Wound, urinary tract, or pelvic; treated with antibiotics.
- Blood clots (1–2%): Deep vein thrombosis (DVT); early ambulation reduces risk.
- Organ Injury:
- Bowel/bladder injury (1–2%, laparoscopic): Rare, requires repair.
- Ureter injury (<1%): May need stenting or repair.
- Long-Term:
- Adhesions (3–5%): Scar tissue causing pain or infertility; may need adhesiolysis.
- Fertility impact (unilateral): 50–70% chance of natural conception if other tube is healthy; bilateral ends natural fertility (IVF possible if uterus remains).
- Ectopic pregnancy risk (unilateral): 5–10% risk in remaining tube; monitor future pregnancies with early ultrasound.
- Emotional impact: 5–10% experience grief (esp. fertility loss or cancer diagnosis); counseling helps.
- Cancer-Specific: Recurrence (e.g., tubal/ovarian cancer, 20–50% if advanced stage); requires adjuvant therapy.
Report fever, severe pain, heavy bleeding, or difficulty urinating promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why might I need a salpingectomy?
For ectopic pregnancy, tubal infection, cancer, sterilization, or as a preventive measure (e.g., BRCA mutations).
Will I lose fertility after salpingectomy?
Unilateral: 50–70% chance of natural conception if the other tube is healthy; bilateral: Ends natural fertility (IVF possible if uterus remains).
Can I avoid salpingectomy?
Ectopic pregnancy: 30–40% resolve with methotrexate (if small, unruptured); hydrosalpinx: May be managed with antibiotics (PID) but often requires surgery for IVF success.
How soon can I resume activities?
Light activities in 1–2 weeks; normal routines in 2–6 weeks, depending on the approach.
Is salpingectomy covered by insurance in India?
Yes, for therapeutic or prophylactic indications; confirm with your provider.
Signs of complications?
Fever, severe pain, heavy bleeding, or difficulty urinating.
Will I go into menopause after salpingectomy?
No, unless combined with bilateral oophorectomy; salpingectomy alone does not affect hormonal function.
Lifestyle changes post-surgery?
Avoid heavy lifting for 4–6 weeks, consider contraception (if unilateral and fertility preserved), attend follow-ups, and seek fertility counseling if needed.
Conclusion
Salpingectomy is a safe and effective procedure for treating tubal conditions, reducing cancer risk, or achieving sterilization, with a relatively quick recovery when done laparoscopically. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, AIIMS) provide affordable, expert care. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps patients approach salpingectomy confidently. Consult a gynecologist for personalized guidance and optimal outcomes.
Looking for Best Hospitals for Salpingectomy
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₹) | Maximum Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|
Agra |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Ahmedabad |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Ajmer |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Aligarh |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Allahabad |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Amritsar |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Aurangabad |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Bangalore |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Bareilly |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Belgaum |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Bhopal |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Bhubaneswar |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Bikaner |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Chandigarh |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Chennai |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Coimbatore |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Dehradun |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Delhi |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Dhanbad |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Durgapur |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Faridabad |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Ghaziabad |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Gorakhpur |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Guntur |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Gurgaon |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Guwahati |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Gwalior |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Hyderabad |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Indore |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Jabalpur |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Jaipur |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Jalandhar |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Jamshedpur |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Jodhpur |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Kanpur |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Kochi |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Kolkata |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Kollam |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Lucknow |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Ludhiana |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Madurai |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Mangalore |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Meerut |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Moradabad |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Mumbai |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Mysore |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Nagpur |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Nashik |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Navi Mumbai |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Noida |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Patna |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Pune |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Raipur |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Rajkot |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Ranchi |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Surat |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Thane |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Vadodara |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Varanasi |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Visakhapatnam |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.