Trends of Various Techniques of Tubectomy: A Five Year Study in a Tertiary Institute

Female sterilization is one of the best and effective methods of contraception for women who have completed their family. Tubectomy during caesarean operation and minilaparotomy are popular methods in developing countries whereas laparoscopic sterilization and hysteroscopic tubal occlusion are the preferred methods in developed countries.

To know the trends, incidence and immediate complications of methods of female sterilizations performed at our institute.

This is a retrospective analytical study conducted at our tertiary care centre from January 2010 to December 2014 in Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli, Karnataka. The case files of all the patients who underwent sterilization were taken from the medical records section and reviewed in detail. The cases were grouped as caesarean tubectomy, minilaparotomy and laparoscopic sterilization, based on the abdominal entry. For minilaparotomy and during caesarean tubectomy, modified pomeroy's technique was used. For laparoscopic sterilization, falope rings were used. Data was analysed by Karl Pearson's correlation co-efficient method and Chi-Square test. The p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Out of 5442 cases of female sterilization, 2872 underwent caesarean tubectomy, remaining half underwent minilaparotomy (1306) and laparoscopic sterilization (1264). Sterilizations were significantly more during puerperal period (caesarean tubectomy + post abortal + postpartum) compared to interval period. There was an increasing trend in caesarean tubectomy and laparoscopic sterilization. There were 11 procedure related complications in the laparoscopic sterilization, one in caesarean tubectomy and none in minilaparotomy. Two deaths were reported in minilaparotomy, one in laparoscopic sterilization and four in the caesarean tubectomy, which were due to septicaemia.

An increasing trend in caesarean tubectomy and laparoscopic sterilization is seen in this study. Female sterilization should be individualized based on the timing, place and surgeons experience. Sepsis is a major cause of death and asepsis could be compromised when female sterilization is done in large numbers in camps. Hence target related approach towards female sterilization should be avoided. Laparoscopic sterilization has more procedure related complications, which can be better handled in tertiary care centres.