Laparoscopic tubal sterilization using thermal coagulation.
A technique using a low-voltage, rechargeable battery pack and a cautery hook assembly for thermal coagulation and division of the fallopian tube under laparoscopic visualization has been evaluated in 393 patients. The procedure is quick, easy to perform, and electrically safe. The gross extent of the burn to the fallopian tube by thermal coagulation and division was compared with that done by high-frequency unipolar electrocoagulation and division. The difference in the mean total gross tubal burn produced by the 2 methods is not statistically significant. The variance of total tubal burn in individual cases within each group is significantly greater in the electrocoagulation group. The authors assume that pregnancy rates in patients undergoing thermal coagulation and division will be no different than those reported in patients in the electrocoagulation and division group. Two hundred of the patients have been followed from 12 to 33 months and no method-failure pregnancies have occurred.
D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D011247:Pregnancy; D013246:Sterilization, Tubal / Q000379:methods*