Outpatient sterilization by laparoscopy. A report of 666 patients.

Laparoscopic sterilization was performed on 666 patients, 85% of whom were over 25 years. Private and service patients of equal racial distribution were included. Of the operations, 72% were performed on an outpatient basis. A modified Steptoe procedure was used. Complications included bleeding requiring recoagulation (2.3%), bleeding requiring laparotomy, bowel injury, trocar site burns, uterine perforations, pelvic abcess, late intra-abdominal bleeding. There were five luteal phase pregnancies and two operative failures.