Laparoscopic sterilization. A review of 238 cases.

A request for sterilization was furnished by general practitioners and the operations were performed under the National Health Services. The patients were booked and their names placed on the waiting list. A number of surgeons shared the operative responsiibility. Of 238 patients, 65 (27.2 per cent) were between 20 30 years, 140 patients (60.0 per cent) were between 30 40 years and 33 patients were between 40 and 50 years. Most of these patients were taking the contraceptive pill for periods of three to seven years, although a small number of couples were using the sheath for birth control. Many suffered chronic cervicitis. Patients who requested post partum sterilization were operated on six weeks after delivery. Here this replaced post partum tubal ligation as it was thought to reduce the post partum depression frequently met with in newly delivered mothers. It replaced post partum laparoscopic sterilization and avoided risk of injury to the bulky uterus and oedematous tubes (Whiteley, 1971).