title: Minimally invasive vasectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the associated morbidity and patient comfort of the 'minimally invasive, no scalpel' (MINS) vasectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-nine consecutive patients presenting for vasectomy underwent a MINS procedure. Post-operatively, the pain experienced, recovery time and complication rate were assessed using a postal questionnaire. The questionnaire was also used to assess a group of historical controls who had undergone a vasectomy using a standard technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The length of time to recovery was significantly reduced in patients who underwent the MINS vasectomy (P < 0.05) and the pain, bruising, swelling and complication rate were also less than in patients who underwent a standard vasectomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MINS vasectomy is preferable to a standard technique, reducing both patient morbidity and the complication rate. This is attributable to the minimal dissection and reduced tissue handling required to expose and isolate the vas.
authors.affiliation: Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Huntingdon, UK.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Holt
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Higgins
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D014659:Vasectomy / Q000379:methods*