Tubal sterilization. With special reference to electrocoagulation through the laparoscope.

In the past 5 years 1 168 tubal sterilizations have been performed. One thousand and twelve of these were performed by dividing the tube by diathermy through the laparoscope. Since the first cases, and with increasing experience, complications have been infrequent, at the most a slight bleeding from the mesosalpinx. So far we have had ten failures, probably due to lack of experience. In every failure it was found at re-examination that the tube had not been divided-at least at one side. The method is quick and simple. The patient suffers little inconvenience, has a very small scar and is in hospital only a short time. It has been used in post-partum cases, but is not suitable for patients who have had several abdominal operations.