Immediate sequelae following tubal sterilization

Abstract A total of 32,177 female sterilizations performed by different surgical procedures under different time scales were studied with reference to the effectiveness of the procedure and immediate, short-term and longterm complications arising out of the procedure. The results of immediate sequelae only are being reported in this article. Laparoscopic technique was employed in 7.1% of cases, culdotomy in 6.9% and minilaparotomy/laparotomy in the remaining 86% of cases. The findings indicate that minilaparotomy performed in the postpartum period is most suitable and safe for Indian women under existing conditions. Complications including mortality were least when the operation was performed as a minilaparotomy in the early postpartum period. Visceral injuries were maximum with the laparoscopic technique (10.45/1000). Mortality of interval sterilization was higher than that of postpartum sterilization (6.19/10,000 Vs 0.7/10,000) but this rate is lower than the current maternal mortality of the country (41.76/10,000). In view of the results obtained, it appears that minilaparotomy will continue to be “the method” of choice on a mass scale.