[Laparoscopic sterilization. Late complications of the endocoagulation method]

The objective of this analysis was to assess the failure rate and incidence of regret of tubal sterilization performed by the endocoagulation technique. The design was a register-based retrospective study. A total of 585 sterilizations were performed from January 1986 to December 1992 in the county hospital of Sønderborg. The patients who had undergone sterilization were identified by diagnosis from the database of "Kommune-data". Forty patients were excluded due to different reasons. The frequency of hospitalization from the operation to July 94 was registered. The actual case records were examined. The failure rate following endocoagulation was 0.92% (one intrauterine and four extrauterine pregnancies) corresponding to an incidence of 1.77/1000 women/year. Two women (0.37%) developed hydrosalpinx after the operation. Ten patients (1.8%) wanted a reversal of sterilization. It was concluded, that tubal sterilization by the endocoagulation method is cheap and safe. The failure rate is similar to that of other methods. Implantation in the peritoneal space is avoided. Thermic destruction is minimized, and the risk of peroperative burning of the tissue is therefore reduced.