Pregnancy after failed tubal sterilization

OBJECTIVE

To review the pregnancy outcome in patients with failed tubal sterilization treated in our hospital and to compare the incidence of ectopic pregnancy in our study group with the experience at other military hospitals and with the incidence of ectopic pregnancy in similar patients reported in the literature.

STUDY DESIGN

A registry of failed tubal sterilization was started at our hospital in 1989. We entered all information regarding the type of procedure and pregnancy outcome as the patients presented for care. Information on the experience at other military hospitals was obtained through review of data provided by the epidemiology section of the Health Services Command, San Antonio, Texas.

RESULTS

From 1989 to 1991, 12 patients with failed tubal sterilization received care at our hospital. Eight patients (67%) had ectopic pregnancies. Of 137 patients identified through the Health Services Command, 49 (36%) had ectopic pregnancies.

CONCLUSION

The literature reports a 5-90% incidence of ectopic pregnancy after failed tubal sterilization. The data from our registry and from the Health Services Command corroborate the increased likelihood of ectopic pregnancy in patients with failed tubal sterilization and underscore the need for close follow-up of these patients until the location of the pregnancy is documented.

Self-reported symptoms of gynecological morbidity and their treatment in south India

This article presents an analysis of self-reported symptoms of gynecological problems among 3,600 recent mothers in Karnataka State, India. Approximately one-third of all women reported at least one current symptom; the most common were a feeling of weakness and tiredness (suggestive of anemia); menstrual disorders; white or colored vaginal discharge (suggestive of lower reproductive tract infection); and lower abdominal pain and discharge with fever (suggestive of acute pelvic inflammatory disease). Obstetric morbidity, associated with the last live birth, was strongly predictive of current gynecological symptoms. Women who delivered their last child in a private institution were significantly less likely to report symptoms than were those who delivered at home or in a government hospital. Nonusers or users of reversible contraceptive methods were also less likely to report symptoms of morbid conditions than were sterilized women. These associations persisted in analyses controlling for potentially confounding economic and demographic characteristics, and have far-reaching policy implications.

Acute pelvic inflammatory disease after surgical sterilization

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Physicians are very cognizant of the possibility of pregnancy after surgical sterilization, but the potential for acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is thought to be rare. This study was undertaken to determine if upper tract PID occurred more frequently than previously reported in patients remote from surgical sterilization.

DESIGN

Retrospective review of hospitalized patients with the primary discharge diagnosis of PID.

SETTING

Urban, university hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Three hundred sixty-four hospitalized patients with the primary discharge diagnosis of PID over a six-year study period.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Patients' age; gynecologic histories and diagnoses; and laboratory, clinical, and surgical findings were noted. Twenty-three cases of acute PID were identified in 21 patients previously sterilized (6%). Nine of the 23 cases had systemic toxicity warranting surgical evaluation; 18 of the 23 cases were admitted from the emergency department. Mean statistical characteristics of the study group were age, 27.3 +/- 0.8 (SE) years; time interval from sterilization, 49.8 +/- 7.4 months; WBC 15,000 +/- 1,200; and temperature, 38.0 +/- 0.2 C.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that acute PID may occur more frequently than previously reported in patients with prior surgical sterilization. An increased awareness of this entity is warranted.

Ectopic pregnancy after tubal sterilization

We report 13 cases of ectopic pregnancy following tubal ligation out of 287 ectopic pregnancies seen during a six year period (1984-1989). These findings suggest that tubal sterilization does not invariably confer infertility. Ectopic pregnancy must not be disregarded in women who have undergone tubal ligation, especially if two or more years have elapsed since the sterilization.

Ectopic pregnancies due to contralateral fistulas after sterilization by electrocoagulation; case reports

Three cases of post-sterilization tubal pregnancy are discussed. The sterilizations were performed by bipolar electrocoagulation. The location of the pregnancy was distal to the site of sterilization. There was no continuity between the segment containing the ectopic pregnancy and the uterus. Spermatozoa reached the site of fertilization via a tuboperitoneal fistula. The existence of the fistulas was confirmed by a methylene blue test. In two cases fistulas existed on the contralateral side to the ectopic pregnancy. In the third case, bilateral fistulas were found. So, on performing a salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy after sterilization failure, we have to be aware of contralateral fistulas. Also good understanding of the mechanism of extra-uterine pregnancy secondary to transperitoneal migration of spermatozoa is important when doing conservative tubal surgery.

[Extrauterine pregnancy after sterilization via a laparoscope]

Information was collected from the Danish National Patient Register and the Danish Board of Health about the frequency of rupture of extrauterine pregnancies among a normal population and among women who had previously been sterilized via a laparoscope. Significantly fewer extrauterine pregnancies were observed among the group of women who had undergone sterilization. Ruptured tubal pregnancies were significantly more frequent among women who had previously been sterilized as compared with the remainder of the fertile female population. It is therefore important that women who have previously undergone laparoscopic sterilization should contact their general practitioner if the slightest suspicion of pregnancy arises.

Case-fatality rates for tubal sterilization in U.S. hospitals, 1979 to 1980

To update a 1977 to 1978 case-fatality estimate for tubal sterilization in U.S. hospitals, we reviewed the medical records of women reported by the Commission on Professional and Hospital Activities to have died after tubal sterilization procedures in 1979 or 1980. We project that the most reasonable case-fatality rate estimate is slightly greater than 9 per 100,000 sterilizations if all deaths associated with the procedure are considered. Rate estimates that assume minimum and maximum numbers of all associated deaths in our sample are approximately 6 per 100,000 and 10 per 100,000 sterilizations, respectively. However, when only deaths that can be attributed to sterilization per se are considered, the most reasonable case-fatality rate is estimated at between 1 and 2 per 100,000 procedures, a lower rate than previously reported. Rate estimates that assume minimum and maximum numbers of attributable deaths in our sample are approximately 1 per 100,000 and 5 per 100,000 sterilizations, respectively. These results further indicate that death attributable to tubal sterilization is rare.

Post-tubal sterilization problems correlated with ovarian steroidogenesis

Mid-luteal phase total urinary oestrogen excretion was found to be significantly reduced in women who had previously undergone tubal sterilization at least two years before assay; pregnanediol levels at or below 2.0 mg/24 hrs were significantly more frequent for the study group. These findings indicate that reduced ovarian function is associated with that procedure. The major problems declared as having been experienced subsequent to tubal sterilization were classified into three categories; some women declared problems in more than one category: (1) Abnormal uterine bleeding and/or menorrhagia, (2) Physical problems, (3) Psychological and/or psychiatric problems. Category 1 was associated with a significant fall in total oestrogen excretion, and category 2 with a significant fall in both total oestrogen and pregnanediol excretion. Analysis of category 3 will be published elsewhere. A negative correlation between total oestrogens and cholesterol was observed.

Interval out-patient female sterilization in Lagos

Out-patient sterilization services were introduced by the Family Planning Clinic of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, Lagos, in September, 1981. This paper reviews the results of the first five years of its availability. There were 96 out-patient interval sterilizations, 47 were by the laparoscopic and 49 by the minilaparotomy procedures, representing 0.7% of maternities. Both local and general anaesthesia was used for the procedures. The patients' ages ranged from 28-52 years, all but three being above 31 years. Their parity ranged from 2-15 with between 2-10 living children. Only five patients had less than four children. 37.5% had used no contraception before. Termination of pregnancy was performed at the same time as tubal ligation in 12.5%, and 75% of these were secondary to contraceptive failure. Three patients had emergency laparotomy although in only one was it related to the sterilization procedure. Three patients were observed for 24 hours with no complications. Two patients were re-admitted after one week with pelvic peritonitis. The major complication rate was 3.1%. The failure rate was one per cent. There have been no requests for reversal. The results are compared with those of patients having puerperal sterilization during the same period, who totalled 2% of the maternities.

Late sequelae after laparoscopic sterilization in the pregnant and non-pregnant woman

To determine the frequency of late sequelae after laparoscopic sterilization performed at the time of induced abortion, we compared data on 114 women who underwent induced first-trimester abortion and concurrent laparoscopic sterilization, with 288 women who had sterilization performed at least 3 months after induced abortion. The period of observation was 12-95 months, median 49 months. We found no statistical difference between the groups with respect to failures, low abdominal pain, dyspareunia, change in bleeding pattern, sexual life and regrets. The results of these findings, discussed here, support the practice of performing the combined procedure.

Learning hysteroscopy sterilization and the Ovabloc System with Hyskon

A review of the first 100 and the last 100 patients in a series of 268 patients sterilized by hysteroscopic injection of liquid silicone into the fallopian was made to evaluate the success rate as it relates to experience with the procedure. The two groups were similar in composition. While the percentage of patients sterilized increased only from 91% in the first 100 patients to 94% in the last 100 patients the numbers that were sterilized at the time of the first procedure increased by 9%. The two major reasons for repeated procedures were tip separation and tubal spasm. The former may become less of a problem with new manufacturing changes. Tubal spasm was reduced as a problem by controlling the temperature of Hyskon but it remains a difficult problem in a smaller number of patients even in the last group. Other causes for repeated procedures were primarily related to operator inexperience and investigational problems. They appear not to be a significant problem for physicians who will learn this procedure in future. This procedure is well received by patients. Hysteroscopists will find it a valuable outpatient female sterilization technique.

Peritoneal endometriosis in women requesting reversal of sterilization

Seventy-six women requesting reversal of sterilization underwent at least 1 operative procedure during a 27-month period, and 14 (18.4%) were found to have pelvic endometriosis. The endometriosis patients were noted to have had significantly fewer pregnancies (1.8 versus 2.9, P less than 0.01) before sterilization than those without endometriosis, but the two groups did not differ significantly in mean age (30.8 versus 30.3 years), type of sterilization or in mean number of years since sterilization (5.0 versus 5.5 years). In only two individuals were proximal tubal segment fistulas found at the time of reversal, and neither had endometriosis. We conclude that pelvic endometriosis is more common in patients with bilateral tubal occlusion than previously suspected and that its presence indicates that endometriosis implants can persist for prolonged periods of time, can give rise to new implants, or do not require the tubal reflux of menstrual debris to form.

Computed tomography of hydrosalpinx following tubal ligation

The CT findings in three cases of surgically proven hydrosalpinx following tubal ligation are described. In every case a cystic mass of characteristic tubular shape was detected in the pelvic adnexal region. These findings can be considered diagnostic of iatrogenic hydrosalpinx.

Safety of abortion and tubal sterilization performed separately versus concurrently

Concurrent abortion and sterilization are preferred by many women to avoid a second hospitalization, operation, and, in some instances, general anesthesia. Several authors have shown concern, however, that the two procedures carry a higher risk of morbidity when performed concurrently versus separately. To determine whether the concurrent performance of sterilization and induced abortion is as safe as the two procedures performed separately, we selected women undergoing these procedures from two separate multicenter, prospective, national United States studies: the Joint Program for the Study of Abortion and the Collaborative Review of Sterilization. Using standard definitions of major morbidity, we calculated the crude rate of one or more major complications to be 0.9% for the abortion-only group, 1.7% for the group concurrent abortion and tubal sterilization. Thus our data suggest that performing concurrent abortion and sterilization is as safe as performing those procedures separately.

Torsion of the fallopian tube following tubal sterilization by electrocoagulation via a laparoscope

Sterilization of the fallopian tube via a laparoscope is being performed with increasing frequency. A rare but serious late complication of this procedure is tubal torsion, which occurs especially after monopolar electrocoagulation where the mesosalpinx is extensively damaged. We present a case in which this complication occurred after bipolar electrocoagulation.

[Tubal sterilization and pelvic venous stasis syndrome]

This study indicates the relationship between tubal sterilization and pelvic venous stasis syndrome. Exploratory laparatomy was performed in 24 patients with symptoms of lower abdominal pain and intercourse pain after tubal ligation who had failed to respond to medical treatment for a long time. During the operation the author found that the venous vessels within the mesosalpinx had enlarged with hyperemia and varicosities in 17 cases. All of them got satisfactory effects after operative therapy. The etiology, prevention, and treatment of this syndrome following tubal sterilization are discussed and emphasis is laid on how to take precautions against pelvic venous stasis during tubal ligation.

Post-tubal sterilization syndrome--a misnomer

Menstrual parameters and gynecologic symptoms of 389 women who underwent laparoscopic tubal banding were studied prospectively and longitudinally. Previous oral contraceptive users exhibited an immediate increase in menstrual flow and dysmenorrhea, which declined slightly with time. No such changes occurred in women who used other methods of temporary contraception. A significant increase in noncyclic pelvic pain, independent of previous contraceptive usage, developed only in women greater than 38 years of age. Menstrual cycles and dyspareunia were not affected. A small control group of women whose husbands underwent vasectomy showed no significant changes in any of these parameters.

Laparoscopic sterilization in a free-standing clinic: a report of 1,092 cases

The five-year experience of 1,092 laparoscopic tubal sterilizations performed in a free-standing clinic in the U.S. with no anesthesiologist under local anesthesia is reviewed. The current technique of the Hasson "open" method and bipolar cauterization is felt to minimize major mishaps and is acceptably comfortable to the patient.

Ectopic pregnancy subsequent to sterilization: histologic evaluation and clinical implications

Ten ectopic pregnancies subsequent to tubal sterilization were histologically evaluated. In seven of the ten cases, the sites for the ectopic implantation appeared to be related to the presence of a distal remaining tubal segment that had a tuboperitoneal fistula on the medial side. As against a currently held opinion that the ectopic implantation occurs secondary to a relative disparity in the size of the sperm, the fertilized ovum, and the proximal tuboperitoneal fistula, we believe that the implantations are influenced by probable fluid movements within the remaining tubal segments. The need to consider conservative surgical approaches and good intraoperative notations in patients with an ectopic pregnancy subsequent to sterilization is stressed.

Open laparoscopy

Many of the complications of conventional closed, or sharp, laparoscopy result from the use of insufflation needles and sharp trocars. These instruments are not essential elements of the technique as laparoscopy can be easily performed with a small umbilical incision, entering the abdomen under direct vision. This variation is called open laparoscopy. Open laparoscopy eliminates the possibility of insufflation-needle and trocar injuries and lessens the probability of failed laparoscopy attempts and postoperative herniations. Furthermore, physicians performing open laparoscopy can become comfortably proficient in the technique faster than they can in closed laparoscopy because open laparoscopy utilizes standard and familiar surgical technique. Open laparoscopy can be easily performed under local anesthesia, particularly for female sterilization. The technique is suitable for the outpatient setting based on considerations of safety and reliability.

Development of a simplified laparoscopic sterilization technique

A simplified technique was developed for laparoscopic sterilization under local anesthesia without neuroleptanalgesia, avoiding uterine manipulators, performing direct trocar insertion without pneumoperitoneum and using air for pneumoperitoneum.

Tubal polyps, epithelial inclusions, and endometriosis after tubal sterilization

Histologic findings in 133 previously ligated fallopian tubes of women who underwent subsequent hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy were compared with those of 50 normal fallopian tubes and related to four surgical procedures for sterilization. Dilatation of proximal tubal lumen, flattening of the folds, polyps, and increase of mitotic activity of the epithelium was subsequent to tubal occlusion in any case, regardless of the type of sterilization. After sterilization by ring, ligation, and coagulation, the incidence of epithelial inclusions was significantly different from that observed after sterilization by clips. Focal endometriosis was only found after tubal ligation and coagulation. It is suggested that epithelial inclusions were the result of surviving fragments of tubal epithelium translocated in the tubal wall during the procedure, and that endometriosis was caused by implantation of expelled menstrual products through the open lumen into the healed ligation area.

Complications of female sterilization: immediate and delayed

Surgical sterilization in women has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. The development of laparoscopy and minilaparotomy have made the procedure readily available even in developing countries. In the United States, changing social values and changes in hospital regulations have done as much as technology to account for the tremendous increases in the number of women undergoing sterilization. Improved sterilization procedures have resulted in lower costs for sterilization and lowered morbidity and mortality rates. Hysterectomy for sterilization alone carries unacceptable morbidity and mortality rates. Originally, laparoscopic techniques utilized unipolar cautery. However, bowel burns, a rare but serious complication, were reported, and this led to newer techniques. These techniques, using bands, clips, and bipolar cautery, have gained increasing popularity and have eliminated many of the serious complications of female sterilization. Historically, there has been concern that tubal sterilization by any method produces, in significant numbers of patients, the subsequent gynecologic and psychologic problems called "post-tubal ligation syndrome." A review of earlier literature indicates that many of these studies have serious methodologic problems, including recall bias, inappropriate control groups, failure to elicit prior history of gynecologic or psychologic problems, and failure to account for the use of oral contraceptives or IUDs. More recent large prospective epidemiologic studies that have controlled for prior gynecologic problems and contraceptive usage have failed to show increased incidence of gynecologic sequelae in large numbers of women. However, there are some data to support the concept that in certain individuals, sterilization may result in disruption of ovarian blood or nerve supply, producing gynecologic sequelae. Additional data from these ongoing large-scale studies and others should help to elucidate this problem in the future. Pregnancy after sterilization (even excluding pregnancies present at the time of the procedure) is more common the first year after the procedure with the risk decreasing in subsequent years.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Late complications of laparoscopic clip sterilization

Late sequelae after laparoscopic Hulka clip sterilization were investigated in 100 women, with a follow-up time of 1 1/2-3 years. Of the patients, 18% showed menstrual disorders, and one patient complained of climacteric symptoms. Increased libido was reported by 34% of the women and decreased libido by 8%. Of the husbands, libido had increased in 18% of cases, while none of them reported decreased libido. Sexual intercourse was felt to be more satisfactory after sterilization by 40% of the women, while the others did not find any change. All the patients were asked whether they would again choose laparoscopic sterilization as a contraceptive method and all answers were unhesitatingly in the affirmative.

Radio frequency leakage current from unipolar laparoscopic electrocoagulators

Radio frequency (RF) leakage current has been suspected of causing accidental tissue burns associated with laparoscopic electrocoagulation used for tubal sterilization. A study was done to determine the levels of capacitively coupled RF leakage current from six unipolar laparoscopes manufactured by five companies. Leakage current values ranging from less than 100 mA to over 550 mA were measured at electrosurgical unit power settings of up to 150 w into 1,000 ohms. These levels represent 24-62% of the total electrosurgical current generated by the electrosurgical units. Using a criterion for tissue injury of 100 mA/sq cm applied for ten seconds, leakage current levels exceeding 400 mA are capable of producing burns either at the abdominal wall or to internal organs that accidentally come into contact with the body of the laparoscope. One of the six devices tested had leakage current levels higher than 400 mA at power settings lower than 100 w. Capacitance measurements between the unipolar laparoscope body and the forceps ranged from 53 to 140 picofarads.

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.