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Minimizing the Risk of Sterilization Failure: An Evidence-Based Approach

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Complications in Gynecological Surgery

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Abstract

Female sterilization is one of the commonest procedures performed worldwide. In 1999 around 50,000 female sterilizations were performed in England in the National Health Service (NHS) and charitable sectors [1 ]. The procedure is performed on mainly healthy women at their request, and the intention is to occlude each fallopian tube. This may be achieved through tubal surgical excision, application of a mechanical device, or electrocautery coagulation (Table 12.1). Where resources permit, the preferred and most widely established technique is laparoscopic tubal occlusion, which has, moreover, replaced the earlier technique of performing female sterilization via minilaparotomy. In the United Kingdom, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) recommends that laparoscopic sterilization be performed using either Filshie clip or ring [1]. Tubal excision and separation and related techniques (e.g., Pomeroy procedure) are preferred if sterilization is performed at cesar-ean delivery.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Birmingham and Birmingham Women’s Hospital Birmingham, West Midlands, UK

    Rajesh Varma MA, MRCOG (Clinical Lecturer)

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Birmingham and Birmingham Women’s Hospital Birmingham, West Midlands, UK

    Janesh K. Gupta MD, MSc, FRCOG

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  1. Rajesh Varma MA, MRCOG
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  2. Janesh K. Gupta MD, MSc, FRCOG
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Merit Centre Bradford Royal Infirmary Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK

    Peter O’Donovan MB, FRCOG, FRCS(ENG)

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Varma, R., Gupta, J.K. (2008). Minimizing the Risk of Sterilization Failure: An Evidence-Based Approach. In: O’Donovan, P. (eds) Complications in Gynecological Surgery. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84628-883-8_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84628-883-8_12

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