Experience in a series of fimbriectomies

In a series of 247 consecutive sterilizations by fimbriectomy performed at the Denver General Hospital, a failure rate of 2.4% was found. The literature is reviewed, and these results are compared with results of other series. In several of the fimbriectomy series with more successful outcome, modifications of the technique originally described were used. The difficulties associated with the Kroener technique are discussed. The fimbriectomy failures were caused by either lack of resection of all of the fimbriae or the presence of tuboperitoneal fistulas, both congenital and acquired. Fimbriectomy should not be regarded as the method of choice for sterilization unless one can ensure adequate surgical exposure and complete removal of the fibria, including the fimbria ovarica.