Written consent for laparoscopic tubal occlusion and medico-legal implications.

Objective: To analyse the completeness of written consent for laparoscopic tubal occlusion and to consider the medico-legal implications of incomplete written consent.

Methods: A retrospective review was undertaken of the medical records of all women who had laparoscopic tubal occlusion in 2006 in a district general hospital to elicit details of risks of the procedure as recorded on the consent form. The extent of documentation of risks and complications that were cited in the guidelines was analysed.