A0680 - Complications of vasectomy: Results from a prospective audit of 94,000 procedures

Introduction & Objectives: Vasectomy is an effective and safe form of male contraception. Over 11,000 vasectomies are performed per year in the UK, the majority in a primary care setting. It is important to counsel men about possible complications, however up-to-date data is scarce. The rate of troublesome chronic scrotal pain quoted in the BAUS patient information leaflet is 'up to 5%' which may discourage some patients. The Association of Surgeons of Primary Care (ASPC) has been collecting a large dataset on vasectomy over 15 years. The aim of this review was to provide up to date complication rates for vasectomy. Material(s) and Method(s): Data were collected prospectively between 2006 and March 2021. A patient questionnaire was completed on the day of surgery and 4 months post-op. Rates of early and late failure, infection, hospital readmission, haematoma and post-vasectomy pain syndrome (PVPS) were recorded. Result(s): Over the 15-year study period, data from 94,082 vasectomies was collected, performed by over 100 surgeons. In 2021, 96% of surgeons used one test to prove sterility. 66% of patients used a postal sperm test post vasectomy to confirm sterility. Failure rates were available for 70, 947 patients. Early failure occurred in 360 patients (0.5%); late failure occurred in 10 (0.014%). Post-operative infection was reported in 1007 cases (1.30%), haematoma in 1094 patients (1.40%). Post-vasectomy pain syndrome was reported in 89 patients (0.12%). Conclusion(s): Vasectomy remains a safe and reliable contraceptive method. The rates of complication were generally lower than those published by major urological organisations. This large, prospective audit provides accurate, contemporaneous complication rates which can form the basis for pre-vasectomy counselling.

Citation

Peacock J., Henderson J. & James G. (2023). Complications of vasectomy: Results from a prospective audit of 94,000 procedures. European Urology, 83(Supplement 1), S959. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0302-2838%2823%2900724-8

DOI

10.1016/S0302-2838(23)00724-8

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14709/1137