Sterilization at the time of cesarean section: tubal ligation or hysterectomy?

The operative, postoperative and subsequent course of 86 patients who underwent cesarean hysterectomy (C.H.) during the years 1970-1979 are compared to an equal number of cesarean sections with tubal ligation (C.S.L.). Both groups are similar regarding age, gravidity, parity, number of living children and indications for abdominal delivery. Operative and postpartum complications of both groups were all minor, although significantly (p less than 0.05) more frequent in the C.S.L. group. More patients of the C.H. group required blood transfusions than the C.S.L. group (p less than 0.01). The mean period of hospitalization was similar in both groups. Two pregnancies occurred after tubal sterilization, a failure rate of 1:43. During the follow-up period, 49 surgical gynecological procedures were performed in the C.S.L. group compared to 1 in the C.H. group. Ten patients of the C.S.L. group subsequently underwent abdominal hysterectomy. Hysterectomy is the procedure of choice for permanent sterilization and prevention of many subsequent gynecological problems. Consideration must be given to coexisting gynecological conditions while considering sterilization at elective C.S. and C.H. should be offered to those patients.