Abstract

PIP: A review of 3600 cases of laparoscopy sterilization at the John Hopkins Hospital, between the years 1968-1972, is presented. Technics, complications and failure rate are discussed. The criteria for sterilization were: 1) that the patient be 21 years old (unless mentally retarded or unless the patient was a teenager whose parity was 3 or more) and 2) that she sign the hospital sterilization consent form. 3 technics were used: 1) the 2-incision technic, 1000 patients, general anethesia used, 75% outpatient; 2) 1-incision 1-burn technic, 1000 patients, local anethesia, 83% outpatient; 3) 1-incision, 3-burn technic, 1600 patients, local anethesia. Failure of the procedure to prevent pregnancy was noted in 24 patients, due to luteal pregnancies, or to surgical errors including electrocoagulation of the round ligament. The most serious complication of laparoscopy sterilization was inadvertent electrocoagulation of the gastrointestinal tract, occurring in 11 patients. Infection following laparoscopy sterilization was remarkably rare.