Between January 1985 and December 1998, 2913 female sterilizations through minilaparotomy were performed. The mean (+/- SD) age was 36.4 +/- 4.2 years and 68% of the women were between the ages of 30 and 39 years. The mean (+/- SD) parity distribution was 8.0 +/- 2.0; 59.5% of the patients were para > or = 8, and the mean (+/- SD) number of living children was 6.8 +/- 1.6. Only 32.9% had the equivalent > or = 8 number of living children at the time of the procedure. Completed desired family size was the indication for the tubal occlusion in 95% of the patients. The predominant surgical technique was Pomeroy's method in 97%. Tubal ligation as an interval procedure was performed in 93.6% and local anesthesia was used in 83.7%. The study showed a yearly increase in the growth of voluntary surgical contraception at the institution, made possible by trained personnel.
PIP: Female sterilization through minilaparotomy was performed in 2913 clients between January 1985 and December 1998. The mean age was 36.4 +or- 4.2 years, and 68% of the women were between the ages of 30 and 39 years. The mean parity distribution was 8.0 +or- 2.0; 59.5% were para 8 or higher and the mean number of living children was 6.8 +or- 1.6. Only 32.9% had 8 or more living children at the time of the procedure. Completed desired family size was the indication for the tubal occlusion in 95% of the patients. The predominant surgical technique was the Pomeroy's method (97%). Tubal ligation as an interval procedure was performed in 93.6% and local anesthesia was given in 83.7%. The study showed a yearly increase in voluntary surgical contraception at the institution, made possible by trained personnel.