Complications Following Bilateral Salpingectomy by Indication: Population‐Based Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE: Assess the short-term surgical outcomes of bilateral salpingectomy performed as a standalone procedure, focusing on complication rates by surgical indication and age group. DESIGN: Retrospective population-based cohort. SETTING: British Columbia, Canada, from January 1st, 2008, to December 31st, 2022. POPULATION: 7102 people who received bilateral salpingectomies performed without concurrent surgical procedures. METHODS: International Disease Classification codes were used to identify the indication for bilateral salpingectomy. We compared outcomes for salpingectomy performed for prophylactic versus contraceptive indications, as well as across different age groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was a composite measure of complications assessed up from the index surgery to 6 weeks after discharge. We included admission to the intensive care unit, return to the operating room, in-hospital surgical complications, readmissions, and complications diagnosed during physician visits. RESULTS: There were 197 complications out of 7102 surgeries for bilateral salpingectomy corresponding to an overall complication rate of 2.8%. Complications occurred in 2.7% of procedures performed for contraception and 4.5% of those performed for prophylaxis, with no statistically significant difference between groups. There were also no significant differences in the adjusted risk ratios for same day discharge, postoperative complications, diagnostic imaging, or prescriptions for NSAIDs or opioids between indication groups. No significant differences in any of the measured outcomes were observed across age groups (< 35, 35-45, and > 45 years). CONCLUSION: These results illustrate low complication rates in people undergoing bilateral salpingectomy as a standalone surgical procedure.