title: Microsurgical tubal anastomoses performed as an outpatient procedure by minilaparotomy are less expensive and as safe as those performed as an inpatient procedure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the cost-effectiveness, safety, and success of microsurgical tubal anastomoses performed by minilaparotomy as an outpatient.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective.
  
  
  METHODS
  Military tertiary care medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy consecutively seen women of reproductive age who were undergoing surgical reversal of sterilization from August 1, 1993, through August 1, 1995.
  
  
  METHODS
  Microsurgical sterilization reversal by minilaparotomy was performed as an inpatient (group 1, 47 patients) or as an outpatient (group 2, 23 patients).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cost, complication rate, pregnancy rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The procedure cost more for inpatients ($3,116) than for outpatients (!,456). Pregnancy rates were similar (56% in group 1 vs. 75% in group 2). There was only one complication in the series.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Outpatient microsurgical sterilization reversal performed by minilaparotomy is as safe and effective as the inpatient procedure and is less expensive.
authors.affiliation: Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Slowey
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Coddington
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000191:economics; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013243:Sterilization Reversal / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome