[Tubular sterilization in the immediate postpartum period using local anesthesia and laparoscopy]

Puerperal laparoscopic sterilization was performed in 732 women under anaesthesia at the Maternity of Noumea (New-Caledonia). There were no complications. Among the per-operative and postoperative incidents which occurred, there were 0.8% pregnancies, 3.6% bleeding of the broad ligament which was controlled during laparoscopy and 3% events (adhesion, pain) which required general anaesthesia. It was concluded that the described technique of puerperal laparoscopic sterilization is a safe, simple, rapid, inexpensive and reliable surgical technique in expert hands.