Sterilization by laparoscopy.

Today, female sterilization is most easily accomplished by single-puncture laparoscopy and, ideally, is carried out under local anesthesia. In experienced hands, electrocoagulation offers slightly fewer failures if a large portion of tube or two segments are destroyed. Fulguration of a small portion of tube, bands, or clips offer a better chance of reversal. It is extremely important that the operator be familiar with and use proper equipment, along with following a rigid format, if complications are to be kept to a minimum. The underlying theme for this article, and all of the articles published, shows that, regardless of the method employed to interrupt the tubes, the complication and failure rates are usually more a function of the experience of the operator than of the method employed.