[Essure implants for tubal sterilisation in France]

Law no. 2001-588 of 4 July 2001 liberalised the practice of tubal sterilisation in France, at the same time as a new hysteroscopic method of female sterilization appeared. The growth of this method has been spurred by the reduced need for analgesia, absence of incision and scar, reduced duration of hospitalization and diminution of costs. The aim of this study was to analyse the use of the Essure procedure in France.

This multicentre study covered seven French facilities from January 2004 through June 2006. This study included 1061 attempted placements of the Essure micro-insert, marketed by Conceptus SAS (France).

The first placement attempt was successful in 992 cases (94.4%). The success rate for second attempts was 59% (n = 23). Mean VAS was 3,23 +/- 0.19. Ninety-three percent of patients undergoing Essure placement were satisfied or very satisfied.

Tubal sterilisation with Essure micro-inserts is a reliable and reproducible method that requires a short period of training. In the future, the hysteroscopic pathway will replace the laparoscopic route.