Nonelectric laparoscopic sterilization. Experience with a silastic band.

In an attempt to avoid the serious complications of electrosurgical sterilization via laparoscopy, specially designed applicators have been used to apply a silastic band to the fallopian tube, thereby occluding it. Two hundred and eighty cases have been performed, 70 of which have been followed for more than 1 year. There have been no pregnancies. The technic is relatively simple. Complications result when the tube is excessively thickened, when the tube is fixed in position by adhesion, or when the tube is grasped too close to the cornua or too rapidly. These complications have been relatively few and can be easily avoided.