[Failed postpartum sterilisation--a comparison of 5 methods]

A comparison of the standard Vienna method of postpartum sterilisation (3,580 patients with 18 failures and a sterilisation failure rate of 5.03/1,000) with 4 other methods at Paarl Hospital is presented: the Pomeroy method (892 patients with 19 failures and a sterilisation failure rate of 21.31/1,000); the total fimbriectomy method (1,578 patients with 23 failures and a sterilisation failure rate of 14.58/1,000); the Filshie clip method (808 patients with 18 failures and a sterilisation failure rate of 22.28/1,000); and the Irving method performed at caesarean section (456 patients and 1 failure). As no totally permanent technique exists to prevent pregnancy, a plea is lodged for legalised abortion after failed sterilisation.