Morbidity following vaginal tubal ligation
Gupta, I.; Bajwa, H.; Singh, P.; Gupta, A.N.; Devi, P.K.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 69: 770-775
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 511260 Document Number: 152969
The results of a study of 618 cases of vaginal tubal ligations performed in 3 years at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education in India are reported. 60% of the women were older than 29 years. 76% had living children. Only 1 woman had no children. Thee was a significant difference in the percentage of women with 5 or more living children between the rural and urban population (P .01). In only 9.5% of women, pregnancy had advanced beyond 10 weeks. No prophylactic antibiotics were given, and follow-ups occurred at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months. Only 9.5% of cases received antibiotics while in the hospital; 73 cases (11.8%) received antibiotics during follow-up because of late complications such as pelvic infection, granulation tissue, and tuboovarian disease. The total complication rate was 15%. Rectal injury occurred in 6 cases (.95%). 17 cases were labeled as vaginal route failures. 2 cases with serious complications, 1 pelvic abscess with fistula and 1 pelvic peritonitis, were noted. Pain during defecation, a common complaint at 2-week follow-up, was not encountered at the 6-week follow-up. About 5.5% did not show up for follow-up; 37.2% were followed for more than 12 months. No significant difference in morbidity was noted between rural and urban patients.