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The Future of Female Sterilization Technology
Author(s) -
Speidel J. Joseph
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1002/j.1879-3479.1976.tb00561.x
Subject(s) - sterilization (economics) , laparoscopy , female sterilization , risk analysis (engineering) , computer science , operations management , medicine , surgery , family planning , research methodology , business , population , engineering , finance , exchange rate , foreign exchange market , environmental health
The relative importance of research objectives to improve female sterilization technology varies between developed and less developed countries. Less developed countries are more interested in technology which can be applied outside of the hospital setting, by paramedical personnel, and with equipment that is simple to use, low‐cost, and easy to maintain. Of the currently available methods, minilaparotomy may be the method of choice in most programs in developing countries. Laparoscopy, culdoscopy, and colpotomy all have proponents, but the technical expertise and, for the endoscopic methods, the complex and expensive equipment required for these methods limits their applicability. Research is progressing on the transcervical introduction of sclerosing agents and transcervically applied tubal plugs, but these methods will require considerable refinement before they can be widely used in humans. Systemic pharmacologic methods of sterilization are also a possibility. To date no technique is available which is known to be easily reversible; research in this area is needed. It is anticipated that expanded research and further advances in female sterilization technology will be forthcoming in the near future.