[Efficacy and complications associated with vasectomies in two clinics in the Quebec region].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of, and complications associated with, vasectomies performed in two medical clinics.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
A private medical clinic and a family planning clinic at a teaching hospital in the Quebec City region, where one doctor performs all surgery.


METHODS
The 1223 men who underwent a first vasectomy between January 1994 and February 1996.


METHODS
Isolations of the vas deferens through the scrotum was performed using the no-scalpel technique in both clinics. At the private clinic (n = 775), vasectomy was performed by ligature with tantalum clips. At the family planning clinic (n = 448), a combination of cauterisation of the abdominal end of the vas deferens, leaving the testicular end open, and fascial interposition with a clip was used.


METHODS
Rate of postoperative complications (painful granuloma; noninfectious inflammation of the vas deferens, epididymis, and testes; hematoma; infection; undiagnosed pain) and rate of recanalization (early and late).


RESULTS
At the private clinic, 39 patients (5.0%) consulted for postoperative complications, compared with 55 patients (12.3%) at the family planning clinic (chi (2)1 = 21.0; P < 0.001). Of the patients who underwent semen analysis, 15 (2.8%) at the private clinic and 4 (1.2%) at the family planning clinic experienced early or late recanalization (chi (2)1 = 2.2; P < .14).


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of consultation for postoperative complications was lower at the private clinic than at the family planning clinic, but the efficacy of the procedure appeared to be higher at the family planning clinic. The surgical techniques used at the two clinics might partially explain these differences.
Labrecque
M
M
Département de médecine familiale de l'Université Laval. michel.labrecque@mfa.ulaval.ca
Bédard
L
L
Laperrière
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D002425:Cautery; D005193:Family Planning Services; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D011331:Private Practice; D011792:Quebec; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014659:Vasectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*