Laparoscopy and Minilaparotomy: Two Major Advances in Female Sterilization

Laparoscopy and minilaparotomy have contributed significantly to the rapidly escalating popularity of female sterilization. This paper reviews these procedures and personnel requirements and compares their safety and efficacy, using data collected by the International Fertility Research Program. It concludes that minilaparotomy with the ligation method of tubal occlusion is the surgical sterilization procedure that can be offered practically, safely, and effectively to the greatest number of women worldwide.