An evaluation of the no-scalpel vasectomy technique.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the magnitude and range of complications encountered during no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV) and to identify any limiting factor or contraindication to NSV. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A total of 4255 men visiting a family welfare clinic of a city hospital in Delhi, India, or outpatients of the surgery department, opted for NSV; 4253 procedures were performed from September 1989 to December 1997, with two not performed because of technical difficulties. The success and complication rates were recorded. RESULTS The complication rates with NSV were surprisingly low; seven complications were encountered, comprising two small haematomas (0.047%), three painful nodules (0.07%), three wound infections (0.07%) and two vasal fistulae, a complication not previously described. A meticulous procedure should avoid this last complication. The mean duration of NSV was 9.5 min. CONCLUSION NSV is a refined and rapid technique of vasectomy with an extremely low complication rate. Being a minimally invasive procedure, it allays the fear of incision commonly encountered in men choosing vasectomy.