Injury to the ureter during laparoscopic tubal sterilization.

As the use of laparoscopy and laparoscopic tubal sterilization has increased, a number of serious complications have been reported. A case is described in which the ureter was damaged during laparoscopic sterilization. The majority of serious complications associated with laparoscopic sterilization have been burn injuries resulting from the use of cautery instruments. Thermal injuries are likely to occur when the operator is inexperienced, and when cautery instruments of the high-energy type are used. Meticulous technique is required in the performance of laparoscopic sterilization and low-energy "cold cautery" units should be used in this procedure.