Early complications of sterilization in women not recently pregnant.

This study was conducted to evaluate the complications occurring during operation and from the time of operation until the follow-up vist at one to eight weeks after operation, for patients sterilized by culdoscopy, colpotomy, laparoscopy, or laparotomy. Surgeons were unable to perform the elected procedure in less than 1 per cent of the patients, independent of the method of approach. With endoscopic techniques, the most common operative difficulty was in obtaining an adequate view of the tubes. Excessive blood loss appeared more frequent with both vaginal techniques. Postoperatively, pelvic infections were more frequent with both the vaginal techniques, while incisional complications were more frequent with both the abdominal techniques. Operative and hospitalization times were significantly shorter, and the proportion of women resuming normal activities within four weeks of sterilization was higher with the endoscopic methods. Laparoscopy appeared to be the preferable procedure. While technical difficulties, operative complications, surgical and hospitalization times, and the time until the patient resumed normal work activities were similar with laparoscopy and culdoscopy; infection of the pelvis was more frequent after culdoscopy.