The topological uniqueness of complete minimal surfaces of finite topological type (Q1196968)

In this paper complete properly embedded minimal surfaces \(M\) of finite topological type in \(\mathbb{R}^ 3\) are studied. The main theorem is: A surface \(M\) of genus \(g\) with \(k\) points removed is ambiently isotopic to the surface obtained by taking the connected sum of \(k\) parallel planes along unknotted arcs in the slabs and then taking the connected sum of this surface with an embedded closed surface of genus \(g\). Global properties of stable minimal surfaces are used in the proof.