A retrospective survey of female sterilisation for the years 1968 to 1973. Analysis of morbidity and post-sterilisation complications for 5 years
Newton, J.R.; Gillman, S.
Contraception 22(3): 295-312
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0010-7824 PMID: 6449354 DOI: 10.1016/s0010-7824(80)80008-4Document Number: 399535
Between 1968 and 1973, 2122 women were sterilized, 52.2% by laparotomy, 46.3% by laparoscopy. Sterilization was performed after abortion in 38.5% of the cases. Laparoscopy had a lower incidence of side effects than laparotomy, and sterilization as an interval procedure was safer than after delivery or abortion. A 5-year follow-up of patients revealed a low incidence of late side effects; only 34 patients required hysterectomy and in 18, this was not due to their sterilization. Failure of sterilization (0.5%) was evenly distributed between the various methods; operative trauma was low at 0.6% for laparoscopy and 0.2% for laparotomy. There were 4 maternal deaths, 2 of which were related to the procedure.