[Revised guideline 'Vasectomy' from the Dutch Urological Association].
Vasectomy is a simple and reliable method of contraception. Problems associated with vasectomy include inadequate patient information, complications of the procedure e.g. infection and scrotal bleeding (4-22%), chronic scrotal pain after the procedure (2-5%) and spontaneous recanalisation with return of fertility (0.03-I12%). Later in life a substantial number of men come to regret having a vasectomy, notably those who underwent it at a young age and those without children of their own. After 10 years 2.4% of vasectomised Dutch men have a refertilisation procedure (usually a vasovasostomy) because of the wish for children in a new relationship. Since vasectomy is an elective procedure and not done on medical indication, it requires an extensive informed-consent procedure for the patient. Insufficient information may result in inadequate follow-up, omission of semen analysis, and consequent legal procedures should complications or pregnancy ensue. Clearance after the first semen analysis at 3 months can be given if azoospermia is seen or if less than 100,000 non-motile spermatozoa are present in the ejaculate.
Dohle
G R
GR
Erasmus MC, afd. Urologie, Postbus 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam. g.r.dohle@erasmusmc.nl
Meuleman
E J H
EJ
Hoekstra
J W
JW
van Roijen
H J
HJ
Zwiers
W
W
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000175:diagnosis; D014572:Urology / Q000592:standards*; D014659:Vasectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014669:Vasovasostomy