[Sterilization of the female with special reference to laparoscopic tubal sterilization]

Within recent years female sterilization has gained a place of great importance as an effective contraceptive method. Nowadays sterilization is hardly subject to any formal restrictions, but is solely the responsibility of the woman concerned, the couple or the physician. The indications for sterilization may be divided into two main groups, namely for medical indications and family planning. Sterilization is carried out on the uterus or tubes. Today the method of choice is laparoscopic tubal sterilization. The most frequently used procedure and the safest way of tubal occlusion is bipolar electrocoagulation of the entire isthmic tubal portions without additional section of the tubes. The complication rate in laparoscopic tubal sterilization depends on the type of anaesthesia, on the skill of the operator and on patient risk factors such as obesity etc. Minor intraoperative complications are of little importance since they are easily remedied during laparoscopy. Severe complications are rare, but have to be corrected immediately by laparotomy. Pregnancies on account of failure in sterilization procedure may be due to the occlusion technique, the lack of experience of the operator, the timing of sterilization and the observation period. Altogether 2372 laparoscopic tubal sterilizations were performed at the University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Graz between January 1st, 1975 and December 31st, 1985. During these eleven years a specific technique has been developed, whereby standard methods were simplified and improved. No intrauterine cannula for mobilizing the uterus is applied to avoid infection or perforation. The preferred "single-puncture technique" offers many advantages over the older "double-puncture technique", since fewer instruments are needed and the operation is less time-consuming, eliminating the danger of a second puncture. Moreover, the procedure is easier to perform and the cosmetic result better. In high-risk patients, especially the extremely obese, the laparoscopic technique has been improved by a special method of introducing the trocar.