Female sterilization with Hulka clips--initial experience at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur
Rahman, A.A.; Sivanesaratnam, V.; Nuruddin, A.A.
Medical Journal of Malaysia 37(3): 276-280
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-5283 PMID: 7177012 Document Number: 191116
The initial experience with the use of Hulka clips for sterilization in 100 patients is reported. In July, 1979, University Hospital physicians in Kuala Lumpur introduced spring-loaded clips, and have found the procedure to be safe and the method acceptable. The 86 patients available for the followup were admitted 1 day prior to the operation for a detailed interview, physical and pelvic examinations, pap smear, and hemoglobin estimation. The laparoscopy was performed under general anesthesia, although others report using local anesthesia, and the patients were discharged the following day. Follow-up was conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months. The women were between 25-40 years old and the majority were para 3-5; 10.5% had only 2 live births. The average age of the patients' youngest child at the time of sterilization was 2.8. Indians comprised the largest ethnic group. The problems encountered at laparoscopy generally occurred in the initial stages of the study and included: difficulty at insertion of trochar, inability to visualize fimbria, tubal transection, and the need for additional clips to ensure occlusion. 2 pregnancies were reported, 1 patient had a luteal phase pregnancy and in the other patient, the left tube was only partially occluded. The actual failure rate in the series was 1.16%, which is acceptable and similar to other reports. A distinct advantage of the clip was the low incidence of tubal transection, .6%, which is a more common occurrence with silastic bands. In addition, the clips offer good prospects for reversibility, compared to other sterilization methods.