Changes in the rate of tubal ligation done after cesarean section

Objective: We studied tubal ligations done after cesarean section in a Spanish hospital during a 20-year period, in order to analyze changes in patient characteristics and indications for cesarean delivery. Study design: We reviewed the clinical records, for the period from 1978 to 1997, of 1996 cases of cesarean section followed by tubal ligation in 108 776 births in which the fetus weighed 1000 g or more. Results: During the 20-year period of study, the proportion of cesarean sections relative to vaginal deliveries increased, as did the frequency of cesarean section followed by tubal ligation relative to cesarean and vaginal deliveries. The proportion of women who underwent tubal ligation after a second cesarean section decreased from 60% during 1978-1982 to 5.6% during 1993-1997. The most frequent maternal pathology associated with gestation was previous cesarean section (60.5%), although 50% of the women had no underlying pathology. Conclusions: In our setting, the rate of cesarean section followed by tubal ligation has been increasing steadily since the early 1980s. The proportion of women who requested tubal sterilization and who had only one living child, or who had had a previous cesarean birth, also increased. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.