Incidence of pain among women undergoing laparoscopic sterilization by electrocoagulation, the spring-loaded clip, and the tubal ring.

Data analyzed from five comparative studies show a relationship between the technique of tubal occlusion and pain experienced by patients both at the time of the procedure and during the recovery period. During the procedure, the spring-loaded clip is the technique least likely and the tubal ring the technique most likely to be associated with pain. During the recovery period, both the spring-loaded clip and the tubal ring are associated with higher rates of abdominal or pelvic pain than is electrocoagulation. Differences in pain that occurred during the recovery period did not persist to the early follow-up visit.