A 30-year-old woman with two living children desires permanent sterilization. She delivered a healthy baby 5 days ago and is hemodynamically stable. The ideal timing for postpartum minilap tubectomy in her case is:
- A After 6 weeks of delivery
- B Within 7 days of delivery ✓
- C After 3 months of delivery
- D Only after cessation of breastfeeding
Correct answer: B. Within 7 days of delivery
Explanation
Postpartum sterilization (minilap) is ideally performed within 7 days of delivery, as the uterus is still enlarged and tubes are easily accessible. After 7 days, the uterus involutes and tubes descend, making the procedure technically more difficult. Interval tubectomy is done after 6 weeks postpartum. Bailey and Love recommends postpartum sterilization within the first 7 days.
Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.