Question

The following statements are true regarding sterilization by Pomeroy's method, EXCEPT

• A. It is performed with non-absorbable suture material
• B. It does not include crushing of fallopian tube
• C. It has a higher failure rate if performed at the time of caesarean section
• D. It has a failure rate of about 0.1-0.4%

Hint:

Pomeroy's method is defined by an absorbable suture and a consistently low failure rate; check which statements contradict that.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This is an EXCEPT question, so we need to find the statement(s) about Pomeroy's method that are FALSE, not true.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Recall the exact steps and reported failure rate of Pomeroy's technique: a loop of tube is tied with an absorbable suture and excised, without crushing the tube, and its failure rate is quoted as about 0.1 to 0.4%, regardless of whether it is done as an interval procedure or at the time of a caesarean section.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Option (A) says it uses non-absorbable suture material. This is FALSE: Pomeroy's technique is specifically designed to use an absorbable suture, classically plain catgut, so that as the suture dissolves over days, the two cut ends of the tube separate and heal apart, which lowers the chance of the tube rejoining. Using a non-absorbable suture would defeat this design and raise the failure rate, so this statement does not describe Pomeroy's method correctly.
Option (B) says it does not include crushing of the tube. This is TRUE: Pomeroy's method only ties and cuts the loop; it does not crush the base of the tube, unlike some older techniques such as Madlener's, which does crush the tube without excising it.
Option (C) says it has a higher failure rate if performed at the time of caesarean section. This is FALSE for Pomeroy's technique as classically taught: its low failure rate of about 0.1-0.4% is quoted for the procedure whether done as an interval sterilization or done postpartum/at caesarean section, so timing at caesarean section is not described as raising its failure rate.
Option (D) says it has a failure rate of about 0.1-0.4%. This is TRUE and matches the standard quoted figure for Pomeroy's technique.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The false statements, and so the correct answers to this EXCEPT question, are options (A) and (C).