Sterilization:

Sterilization may be defined as a procedure to make a male or female person sterile without interfering with his or her potency.

MEDICOLEGAL IMPORTANCE OF STERILIZATION

IN CRIMINAL CASES

• Involuntary sterilization is an offence
• Criminal negligence
• Grievous hurt
• Suppositious child

IN CIVIL CASES

• Nullity of marriage
• Divorce
• Heirship
• Compensation
• National program
• Eugenic
• Disputed paternity

OBJECTIVES OF STERILIZATION

• For family planning purposes
• Contraceptive purposes
• Therapeutic purposes
• Eugenic purposes
• Humanitarian ground
• Order of the state
• Ethnic cleansing

TYPES OF STERILIZATION

• Compulsory or involuntary
• Voluntary
• Therapeutic
• Eugenic
• Contraceptive

METHODS OF STERILIZATION

• Temporary
• Natural
• Mechanical
• Chemical
• Hormonal
• Permanent
• Surgical
• Radiological
• Safe period- Coitus in a safe period of the menstrual period e.g., First 09 days and Last 09 days of the cycle
• Coitus interruptus – Ejaculation outside the vaginna
• Complete abstinence

MECHANICALl

• Condom
• Cervical cap
• Copper-T
• Apple’s Loop

CHEMICAL

• Chemical
• Spermicidal Jelly
• Foam
• Vaginal Douch

HORMONAL

• Hormonal
• Oral contraceptives pills
• Implant
• Hormonal ring

PERMANENT STERILIZATION

• Radiological- done by deep X-ray exposure causing damage to germ cells. But it was not done due to the chance of germ cell carcinoma.
• Surgical
• Vasectomy- for male
• Tubectomy- for female

VASECTOMY

• Here, vas deference is transected at the scrotal level on both sides. It is a very simple and minor operation. The service taker need not stay in the hospital and can do normal work from the next day.
• But still, it does not become popular due to the masculine ego of the male and the superstition of being impotent.

TUBECTOMY

Here, a mini-incision is made just above the symphysis pubis. After opening, the fallopian tubes are palpated and retracted out one by one. Two ligatures are used to transect the middle part of the tube.

Sometimes, it is cauterized or clipped.

MEDICOLAGAL QUESTION ARISE

• Voluntary consent from both husband and wife
• For eugenic or therapeutic purposes, consultation is a must
• At least they have one living child
• In compulsory cases, there is no need for consent
• In ethnic cleansing, doctors should stand against it
• In disputed cases, think about recanalization.