Problems of laparoscopic sterilisation camps in rural West Bengal

Laparoscopic sterilisation camps were performed in all the remote places of the Himalayan and sub-Himalayan areas in the district of Darjeeling and rural areas of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal where 22,500 patients were studied. Follow-up done up-to-date. No mortality or major complications reported so far. Surgical difficulties found were markedly obese patients (0.42%), scar in the lower abdomen (0.99%), early pregnancy (2.2%), early puerperal cases (1.83%) and cases with pelvic inflammatory disease (4.5%). Difficulties also found in cases of postburn contracture of the lower abdomen (0.02%). There were 420 cases where some sorts of complications were encountered. Complications included minor perforation of the uterus (1.8%), transaction of tubes (0.27%), bleeding from cervical tear (0.15%), and omental prolapse (0.04%). Problems faced regarding organisation of some of the camps in the remote areas, which could be preventable are discussed.