Outpatient minilaparotomy sterilization with local anesthesia

Three hundred fifty-eight patients underwent interval sterilization by minilaparotomy under local anesthesia and intravenous sedation between December 1984 and October 1987 at the University of Miami Family Planning Center, an out-of-hospital facility. The Osathanondh uterine elevation technique was used. In three cases the operation could not be completed because of technical difficulties. Eighty-five percent of the patients had a post-operative examination. Sixty percent underwent follow-up between 24 and 48 months after surgery and 12% between 12 and 18 months. One patient became pregnant (intrauterine) one year after the operation. From this study it appears that outpatient minilaparotomy sterilization under local anesthesia is safe and effective.