Evaluation of Falope Ring sterilization by hysterosalpingogram

One hundred eight women sterilized by laparoscopically directed application of Falope Rings were evaluated by postoperative hysterosalpingography (HSG). Operations were performed from November 1975 through March 1977 at Louisville General Hospital, Louisville Kentucky, by residents in obstetrics and gynecology. Local anesthesia was used for 30% of the procedures; general endotracheal anesthesia was used for the remainder. Xylocaine jelly was placed on each ring prior to its application. HSG was done on each woman at least three months following surgery. In three cases extravasation from one tube occurred. None of the women had extravasation from both tubes. One patient with intraabdominal spill had a repeat sterilization by laparoscopic cauterization. The remaining two patients, who have been followed for three years, have not used contraception and have not conceived. The clinical significance of extravasation on HSG following tubal sterilization has been questioned, as has the safety of postoperative hysterosalpingography. This study demonstrated a high rate of patency (2.8%). However, pregnancy did not occur in two patients with persistent postoperative tubal patency. The patency rate with Falope Ring sterilization is lower than that found by others at this institution when HSGs were used to evaluate women following laparoscopic cauterization.