PVPS using the Mesh Words “Post-vasectomy Pain Syndrome,” “Post Vasectomy Pain Syndrome,” “Microdenervation of Spermatic Cord,” “Epididymectomy,” “Vasectomy Reversal,” and “Orchiectomy”

BACKGROUND PVPS is different from acute post procedure pain. Acute post procedure pain typically resolves 2–4 weeks postoperatively whereas PVPS continues to persist or may occur months to years after the vasectomy. PVPS can be an extremely frustrating problem to treat for both the patient and the clinician, as there remains no widely accepted protocol for evaluation and treatment of the problem. PVPS is defined as constant or intermittent testicular pain for 3 months or longer with a severity that interferes with daily activities prompting the patient to seek medical treatment.6 The exact incidence of PVPS is unknown but was estimated to be very low (<1%) in the past.4–7 However surveys in recent years have found that almost 15% of men suffer from PVPS, with 2% of men experiencing pain intense enough to impact their quality of life.8,9 One review reported that 1 in 1000 men who undergo a vasectomy will sustain long-term pain requiring surgical intervention.10