Bilateral ruptured tubo-ovarian abscesses following bilateral tubal ligation several years earlier.

The occurrence of pelvic inflammatory disease and tubo-ovarian abscesses previously has been regarded as essentially nonexistent in the patient who has undergone tubal sterilization, although there have been isolated reports in the literature. This case describes a patient who underwent tubal ligation approximately 6 years prior to presenting with bilateral ruptured tubo-ovarian abscesses. The patient underwent emergency surgery and had an uneventful recovery. Theoretically, although bilateral tubal ligation should preclude the development of pelvic inflammatory disease, it is a diagnosis that should be considered in the patient presenting with lower pelvic and abdominal pain.