[Aortic perforation following electrocoagulation of the tubes]. / Aortenperforation nach Elektrokoagulation der Tuben

PIP: In the course of a sterilization by tubal electrocoagulation, the patient suffered perforation of the abdominal aorta, causing a large hematoma and danger of bleeding to death. The aorta was repaired with a Teflon patch and the patient recovered, but the potentially fatal incident occasioned a review of the legal status of sterilization and of its complications. In the Dohrn case (1964), the Federal Court of Justice determined that voluntary sterilization is nonpunishable under German law. However, sterilization has increased less in Germany than, e.g., in England or Japan, and in 1969 the German Doctors' Conference declared sterilization permissible only for medical, genetic-eugenic, or pressing social reasons. As for complications, electrocoagulation of the tubes - involving anesthesia, inhibition of respiration by means of Trendelenburg's position, introduction of carbon dioxide into the abdomen, and manipulation of instruments through incisions - must be considered a complex procedure. Among 11,956 published cases described by 29 authors between 1969-1974, the complication rate was 1.71%; probably the actual rate is higher. 3 fatalities - from heart failure, peritonitis, and suffocation - were reported. In addition, there were 117 hemorrhages (.98% of the cases reported), 22 burns or mechanical injuries of the gastrointestinal tract (.19%), 26 perforations of the uterus (.22%), 44 infections (.37%), 25 skin burns (.21%), and 24 cases of skin or organ emphysema (.2%). Mechanical injuries carry the danger of perforation of organs over time, and the injuries reported included 13 perforations of colon, ileum, or stomach, requiring laparotomy and excision. Complications under electrocoagulation are reported to be less severe than in conventional operations; nevertheless, electrocoagulation should never be performed as an outpatient operation, and follow-up to check for delayed complications is advisable. Contraindications are poor general health, severely reduced respiration, and such conditions as anatomical anomalies, tumors, endometriosis, and obesity.^ieng