Long-term sterilization failure: twenty-three years.

This case presents the longest time interval from tubal sterilization to failure by ectopic pregnancy of which we or our colleagues have ever heard. This multipara had a postpartum sterilization procedure performed at one University Hospital; 23 years later she was admitted to another University Hospital with a hemoperitoneum due to a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. Verification was affirmed by examination of the records of both hospitals.