Spring clip tubal occlusion: a report of the first 400 cases.

Between September 1972 and March 1974, laparoscopic tubal sterilization was performed on 394 patients with the use of a spring-loaded plastic clip under local analgesia and on an outpatient basis. Intravenous fentanyl and infra-umbilical infiltration and tubal spray with 1% lidocaine were found to be very acceptable and effective forms of analgesia. The average time spent by a patient in the hospital was 4 hours, 26 minutes. There was no major immediate complications apart from vasovagal reactions in 34 patients. Up to June 30, 1974, six patients in the series had become pregnant, not as a failure of the clip per se, but as a result of improper application of the clips. This seems to be a safe, simple, and effective method of female sterilization with great potentials of reversibility.

Laparoscopic tubal clip sterilization under local anesthesia.

PIP: Tubal anesthesia with lidocaine during laparoscopic tubal clip appli cation was evaluated in 149 women; 147 tubes received no lidocaine and 151 received 1 or 2 ml of 1% or 4% lidocaine. For unanesthetized tubes the mean pain rating depended on the dose of diazepam and fentanyl given to the patient (p less than .1); pain ratings were higher in women who received no drug. When any diazepam and/or fentanyl was given, the anesthetized tubes were given a significantly lower pain rating (p less than .01). 23.8% of unanesthetized tubes received a pain rating of 2, 12.9% a rating of 3 or 4, while no anesthetized tube received a 3 or 4 (on a scale of 0 to 4) and only 4% received a 2. 68.5% patients were their own control; 42% rated the pain equal in each tube (1 was anesthetized), while 58% rated the anesthetized tube less painful. 3.4% of the patients experienced vasovagal reflex stimulation. It is concluded that using a local anesthetic solution substantially reduces discomfort associated with fallopian tube manipulation during sterilization.^ieng

Sterilization by spring clip: a report of 1000 cases with a 6-month follow-up.

In September 1972, clinical trials of a spring-loaded clip for laparoscopic sterilization were begun and extended to a number of centers in the United States and overseas. As of March 1974, more than 1000 patients had undergone the procedure, usually performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting, with no fixed contraindications. Complications and pregnancy rates based on a preliminary 6-month follow-up are presented. Complications due to application of the clip appeared to be limited to postoperative cramps lasting 24 to 48 hours (26% of the patients). No ectopic pregnancies were reported. Pregnancies, when corrected for unsuspected pregnancies and misapplication of the clip, occurred in 2 of these first 1000 patients. The difficulties and relative contraindications learned from this unselected series and the advantages over electrocagulation techniques are discussed.

PIP: Between September 1972 and March 1974 more than 1000 patients had undergone laparoscopic sterilization by spring-loaded clip under local anesthesia in outpatient settings in the United States and overseas. No fixed contraindications were noted. Complications and pregnancy rates based on a 6-month follow-up were as follows: 1 death of a patient with artificial mitral and aortic valves resulted 5 days after surgery; cramps similar to menstrual cramps were reported in 26% of patients for 24-48 hours after clip application; some prototype complications occurred. The centers with the highest pregnancy rates were teaching centers employing experienced electrocoagulation physicians with the highest rate occurring at Chapel Hill where physicians were becoming familiar with the new technique. Of 24 pregnancies, 3 women were pregnant at the time of clip application, 11 resulted from improper placement of the clips, 5 pregnancies followed correct clip application and 3 resulted from weak springs (a manufacturing defect). The corrected pregnancy rate counting only those good and properly applied clips was 2/1000. Contraindications to this procedure include the presence of adhesions preventing visualization of the isthmic portion of the tube, obesity and enlarged uteri. The clip, designed to eliminate the need for electrocoagulation, thus eliminates possible bowel burn, mesosalpingeal hemorrhaging, pain and general anesthesia. Use factors combined with the advantage of potential reversibility via end-to-end anastomosis make sterilization by spring clip an effective possibility.

A comparative study of two estrogen dosages in combined oral contraceptives among Sudanese women.

A prospective study of two combined oral contraceptives was conducted in the Sudan. No pregnancies occurred. Overall incidence of side effects was low. Headache was most frequently reported. Elevations were observed for weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and SGOT and SGPT values while a decrease was seen for hemoglobin levels. Menstrual irregularities were not a problem for the users. Total 6-month use discontinuation rates were low for both pill groups.

Spring clip sterilization: one-year follow-up of 1,079 cases.

This is a report of 1,079 patients who underwent laparoscopic clip sterlization as of March, 1974. A one-year follow-up was obtained on 977 patients, or 90.5 per cent. Complications due to the clip technique appear limited to postoperative cramps for 24 to 48 hours in 26 per cent of patients. No ectopic pregnancies were detected. Pregnancies, when corrected for unsuspected existing pregnancies and surgical and manufacturing errors, occurred in 2 to 6 cases, for a method failure rate of 2 to 6/1,000. This report documents that experienced laparoscopists can perform this practice with local anesthesia, in combination with first-trimester abortion, and in hospital facilities other than an operating room.