Essure: a new device for hysteroscopic tubal sterilization in an outpatient setting.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the results of hysteroscopic placement of an intratubal device for permanent birth control in 85 women in an outpatient setting.

DESIGN

Prospective, observational study.

SETTING

Private university hospital.

PATIENT(S): Eighty-five premenopausal women who asked for tubal sterilization by hysteroscopy between July 2002 and July 2003.

INTERVENTION(S): Hysteroscopic placement of titanium-dacron intratubal devices in an outpatient setting.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Procedure feasibility without anesthesia, success rate of device implantation, patient satisfaction, and confirmation of correct placement.

RESULT(S): Successful placement was achieved in 81 patients (95%). Mean time elapsed between the start of hysteroscopy, placement of devices, and removal of optics was 9 minutes (range, 1-35 minutes). No intraoperative or postoperative complications were detected. Of 81 patients, 75 (93%) had abdominal x-ray performed at the third month; bilateral correct placement was confirmed in all of them.

CONCLUSION(S): Essure is a safe, effective, and minimally aggressive procedure with satisfactory patient acceptance that does not require anesthesia or hospitalization. It seems to be a good alternative to laparoscopic tubal sterilization.