American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists 1988 Membership Survey on Laparoscopic Sterilization
Hulka, J.F.; Peterson, H.B.; Phillips, J.M.
Zentralblatt für Gynakologie 112(24): 1501-1504
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-4197 PMID: 2149910 Document Number: 358620
The 1988 Membership Survey of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) indicated that their membership continues to perform fewer sterilizations than previously reported. The respondents perform 30,480 sterilizations, 41,160 diagnostic laparoscopies, and 13,920 hysteroscopies. The distribution of laparoscopic sterilizations by the tubal occlusion method has not changed appreciably since 1985. Complications from diagnostic laparoscopy are consistently higher than those following sterilization--2 deaths (4.8 deaths/100,000 procedures) were identified after diagnostic laparoscopy and no deaths were reported following sterilization. The relative likelihood of ectopic pregnancy is substantially greater after coagulation procedures than after mechanical ones. The decrease in membership performance of laparoscopic sterilization is occurring at the same time as a relative increase in performance of newer diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures. (author's modified)