Laparoscopic sterilization with silicone rubber bands.

Laparoscopic sterilization with silicone rubber bands was performed on 202 healthy females in an attempt to assess the simplicity, safety, and effectiveness of the technique. The procedure was performed under local anesthesia and analgesia in 156 subjects while in 46 it was done under general anesthesia. One hundred and eighty-two were interval operations while 18 were combined with first trimester abortions. Avulsion of the uterine tube leading to bleeding occurred in three instances and this was the only complication of some concern in this series. No laparotomy was required to treat any immediate complications. Two pregnancies had occurred by July 1976. Both were found to be luteal phase pregnancies. This technique appears to be relatively simple and safe. Complications are few in experienced hands and are avoidable by careful selection proper technique.