title: Sterilization for family planning in a Third World country.
abstract: Outpatient laparoscopy procedures have made sterilization possible for millions of women in developing countries. This report describes the experience of a team of doctors, nurses, and support staff that performed 107 laparoscopic tubal sterilizations during on eight-day sojourn in a remote north-central area of Nicaragua. Minimal analgesia (oral ibuprofen) and anesthesia (1% lidocaine) were used since most of the patients walked to and from the hospital-some up to 15 miles. Because the Nicaraguan government's support for birth-control programs is unreliable and because illegal abortion is the leading cause of maternal mortality in Nicaragua, this safe, minimally invasive surgical method is the favored means of birth control.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Reichert
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Nagel
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Solberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003906:Developing Countries; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D009527:Nicaragua; D008921:Religious Missions; D013246:Sterilization, Tubal; D014659:Vasectomy