Complications of laparoscopic tubal sterilization

The experience of laparoscopic sterilization in 5018 cases at the Deaconess Division of Buffalo General Hospital over a period of 8.5 years is presented. The procedure was completed in 4992 cases, with a complication rate of less than 1% and with no operative mortality. One half of the patients with complications required a laparotomy. Bleeding was the most common complication; it accounted for exactly one half the complications. The laparotomy rate for all complications was 4.6 per 1000 cases. Seven ectopic and 4 intrauterine pregnancies occurred after this procedure, for a method failure rate of 2.2 per 1000 cases. Recommendations for prevention and management of complications are presented.