PIP: A study of methods, techniques, and instruments used in surgical contraceptive procedures from approximately 1965-1978, makes the assertion that the ideal sterilization technique still has not been invented, while at the same time noting that transcervical and transuterine sterilizations are still in the research stage, and tubal sterilization has attained considerable popularity as an everyday practice. Passing attention is given to culdotomy, culdoscopy, laparoscopy, and laparotomy, while stressing minilaparotomy as the current most widely used means of female sterilization. An overview of the history of the minilaparotomy is presented, as well as the results of a study conducted from February 1976 to December 1977 at the Gynecological Clinic in the Academy Hospital in Hoofden involving 102 nonpregnant women who received minilaparotomies. Of the participants, who were aged 19-47 (average age 35 and average parity 2.7), 80 were sterilized electively, and 22 medically. The length of incision varied from 1-6 cm; the average length of operation was 31 minutes; the period for recovery from flatus was 0-3 days; and the average length of stay in a clinic 3.2 days. Morbidity figures were low, the most frequent wound complication being hematoma (3%); this agrees with reports in the literature since 1976 of nonlethality in 17,500 minilaparotomy sterilizations.