The use and maintenance of instruments for large loop excision of transformation zone at Ramathibodi Hospital.

The average use of LLETZ in Ramathibodi Hospital from 1993 to 1998 was 73.3 cases per year (range 26-116 cases). The endocervical box (F2) loop electrode was the most frequently damaged at the rate of 4 pieces per 100 procedures. The damage rate of the 25 mm loop electrode was 3 pieces per 100 procedures and 20 mm loop electrode was 2 pieces per 100 procedures. The life of the instrument can be prolonged through proper care and continuous maintenance as well as by experienced operators and the assisting team.

Female sterilization in Ramathibodi Hospital: 1987-1993.

A 7 year (1987-1993) restropective review of female sterilization in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ramathibodi Hospital was reported. This paper is part of a continuing study of female sterilization in Ramathibodi Hospital. A total of 9,968 cases of female sterilization was done from January 1987 to December 1993. Post partum acceptors accounted for 63 per cent of total female sterilization, the overall postpartum female sterilization rate was 117.4 per 1,000 deliveries. 37 per cent was interval sterilization. The peak of interval sterilization was in March. 69.8 per cent of interval sterilization was performed by minilaparotomy technique, the remainder were by laparoscopy.

PIP: A retrospective study of the 9968 female sterilizations performed in Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, during 1987-93 identified trends in utilization and methods selected. The annual number of procedures performed was highest in 1988 (1596 cases) and lowest in 1991 (1294 cases), with an overall trend of decline. The annual proportion of postpartum sterilizations ranged from 51% to 72% (average, 63%), while that of interval procedures ranged from 28% to 49% (average, 37%). The interval sterilization rate was highest in March and lowest in December. Minilaparotomy was used in 69.8% of interval sterilizations; the remaining 30.2% were performed by the laparoscopic technique. The mean age of women undergoing interval sterilization increased from 32.09 years in 1987 to 32.99 years in 1993, reflecting the rising age at marriage. The overall decline in female sterilizations at Ramathibodi Hospital is presumed to reflect the expanded availability of interval sterilization at other facilities and more widespread use of other long-term contraceptive methods (e.g., Norplant and long-acting IUDs).