Jordan M. Phillips

Laparoscopic sterilization: American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists' 1993 membership survey

The 1993 membership survey of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists received 938 responses, or 13% of the membership. The surgeons reported performing 22,966 sterilizations and 36,482 diagnostic procedures. The distribution of sterilization techniques has remained stable since 1985. Complication rates associated with diagnostic procedures remain consistently higher than those with sterilizations. One death was reported from sterilization, none for diagnostic procedures.

The Revolution in Gynecology: Celebrating 30 Years with the AAGL

The American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists has revolutionized the practice of gynecology forever. In 1971, creating the AAGL as a state of California and federal registered tax-free educational organization produced a mechanism to hold legal meetings, congresses, workshops, and seminars, and to disseminate advanced knowledge of endoscopic techniques and instrumentation throughout the United States and the world. It seemed most logical that a surgeon could examine under direct vision all of the pelvic structures— uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, anterior and posterior cul-de-sacs—indeed, the entire endopelvic anatomy, to make immediate, accurate diagnoses and perform various surgical procedures. One would think that this significant technique would be embraced by every gynecologist. It is amazing to me that there were and still are many nay-sayers against this method; however, their voices are growing fainter and fainter. At the AAGL’s first symposium in Las Vegas, the current state of the art was presented. Under leadership of Jerry Hulka of North Carolina, a Complication Committee was formed to define statistically the safest methods and instruments to be employed. Throughout the AAGL’s 30 years, complication surveys have been conducted and published. These survey reports established standards of practice worldwide to safeguard gynecologists and patients. Also at this meeting and at every one since then, I promoted the family concept; that is, we are here to help each other in any way that we can to be better doctors and surgeons to serve our patients. I formed the open door policy to allow anyone who wished to attend any and all of our meetings, and to welcome all speakers from around the world who wanted to present their ideas to their colleagues. Not only have we had the good fortune to hear of new concepts and discussions of established ones, this has resulted in

IN MEMORIAM : RICHARD K. KLEPPINGER, M.D. : 1924-1996

Eulogy given at the Lutheran Church of the Atonement, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania on March 13, 1996