OFFICE HYSTEROSCOPIC TUBAL OCCLUSION WITH SILOXANE INTRATUBAL DEVICES(THE OVABLOC(R) METHOD)

Objectives: To study the results of the Ovabloc(R) method for female s terilization used in an outpatient setting. Methods: A prospective lon gitudinal study at the Schieland Hospital or 411 patients who consente d for the method for sterilization. For statistical analyses the chi(2 ) test is used for detection of differences between groups of patients . The life-table analysis is used for events during the follow-up peri od. Results: Our results reflect those done under strict clinical cond itions. The majority of the events took place in the first 36 months o n Ovabloc(R). Unplanned pregnancies were mainly due to misdiagnosis in X-ray images and to incomplete procedures. Conclusions: The method fa ilures are 3/1000 women in 12 months and 8/1000 women in 36 months. Th e follow-up should be extended to 12 months. The reversibility of the method remains questionable. The method should be offered to women wit h (relative) contraindications for laparoscopic sterilization such as severe obesity, extensive pelvic adhesions or anesthetic risks.