[Complications of tubal sterilization by minilaparotomy under local anesthesia]

Between January 1, 1991 and June 30, 1996, physicians performed 800 cases of tubal ligation via minilaparotomy under local anaesthesia in the Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic of the Dakar University Teaching Hospital (Senegal). There were complications in 7 (0.87%) cases (bladder and bowel injuries: 6 cases, and post operative infection: 1 case). The most frequent risk factors were: surgeon skill (lack of experience of surgeon in minilaparotomy), type of patients (obesity, previous abdominal surgery). It was concluded, proper training and experience of the surgical team is needed to minimize sterilization related complications.