Tubal risk markers for failure to place transcervical sterilization coils

There is a growing body of literature on placement rates of the Essure® procedure, yet prior studies have not attempted to identify tubal-associated risk factors for placement failures. The current study examines risk markers associated with the inability to deploy the Essure® coils into the tubal lumen using the new ESS305 design.

We used electronic medical record data to assess risk markers associated with the inability to place the Essure coils in the tubal lumen using the new ESS305 design. A total of 310 attempted procedures between June 14, 2007, and April 29, 2011, were analyzed.

There were 18 tubal failures (5.8%) out of the 310 attempted procedures. A history of a prior sexually transmitted infection (STI) was associated with tubal failure (odds ratio 2.64, 95% confidence interval 1.01-6.90, p=.048).

We speculate that the observed association between a prior STI and an inability to place the coil was due to a past history of pelvic inflammatory disease.