OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of permanent female sterilization using microlaparoscopy and bipolar cauterization. The authors also tested how well the procedure was tolerated when performed under local anesthesia and conscious sedation. STUDY DESIGN: Patients undergoing microlaparoscopic permanent sterilization were prospectively followed. The rate of procedure completion, patients' pain scores and complication rates were reviewed. RESULTS: The procedure was completed in 93% of patients (28 of 30). The pain scores decreased substantially within one day after the procedure. The total cost savings for the 29 cases were $16,211. Two patients experienced severe intraoperative discomfort and were rescheduled for endoscopic sterilization under general anesthesia. There were no complications. CONCLUSION: Permanent female sterilization using microlaparoscopy is cost effective and safe in selected patients, patient exclusion criteria need to be instituted to ensure the safety and success of the procedure.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of permanent female sterilization using microlaparoscopy and bipolar cauterization. The authors also tested how well the procedure was tolerated when performed under local anesthesia and conscious sedation. STUDY DESIGN:Patients undergoing microlaparoscopic permanent sterilization were prospectively followed. The rate of procedure completion, patients' pain scores and complication rates were reviewed. RESULTS: The procedure was completed in 93% of patients (28 of 30). The pain scores decreased substantially within one day after the procedure. The total cost savings for the 29 cases were $16,211. Two patients experienced severe intraoperative discomfort and were rescheduled for endoscopic sterilization under general anesthesia. There were no complications. CONCLUSION: Permanent female sterilization using microlaparoscopy is cost effective and safe in selected patients, patient exclusion criteria need to be instituted to ensure the safety and success of the procedure.