Essure Superior to Surgical Tubal Ligation
According to Conceptus, Incorporated, the Essure procedure for permanent birth control is both highly successful and patients are satisfied with the procedure. Data describing such findings was presented at the 16th Annual Conference of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE) in October and also reported on the company’s website.
The organization reported findings from over twenty different independent studies that have been completed. The largest study described included over 900 patients who underwent the procedure at seven different healthcare facilities over almost two and a half years. Almost fifty percent of the patients did not require analgesia. The remaining patients received general or local anaesthesia, a spinal block, or intravenous sedation. Successful placement rate was 96.6 percent.
Data gathered thus far validates the safety of procedure, as well as the efficacy. In addition, the minimal use of analgesics and anaesthesia is appealing in comparison to tubal ligation, which is a surgical procedure and carries more risk. Essure also has a shorter recovery time. Researchers suggest that this hysteroscopic approach will replace laparoscopy for permanent birth control.
The Essure procedure is a permanent birth control method which is an alternative to surgical tubal ligation. Soft micro-inserts are placed into the Fallopian tubes via the cervix during a procedure which takes approximately ten minutes to complete. The inserts encourage the growth of tissue both in and around the inserts, resulting in a blockage or occlusion of the tubes. This approach does not require any incisions.
Three months after the procedure, a confirmation test is completed to ensure location of the inserts and tube blockage. At that point, patients can discontinue use of birth control. At four years, the test is 99.8 percent effective.
November 16, 2007 Related topics: Quality, Safety, Errors, Obstetrics, Gynecology & Neonatology