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Efficacy of percutaneous vas occlusion compared with conventional vasectomy
Author(s) -
Zambon J.V.,
Barone M.A.,
Pollack A.E.,
Mehta M.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1046/j.1464-410x.2000.00875.x
Subject(s) - vasectomy , percutaneous , medicine , occlusion , vas deferens , surgery , family planning , research methodology , population , environmental health
Objectives To determine the efficacy, evaluate the safety and assess side‐effects (swelling, haematoma and pain) of percutaneous vas occlusion compared with vasectomy in Dutch men. Patients and methods Vas occlusion and vasectomy procedures (attempted in 58 and 50 men, respectively) were conducted at the University Hospital Maastricht. The men returned 1 week after the procedure, underwent a clinical examination and completed a questionnaire assessing subjectively any pain, swelling and haematoma. The men were asked to return for semen analysis at 6 and 12 weeks and, if necessary, for additional analyses until they were azoospermic. Results The vas occlusion procedure was completed on both vasa in 49 of the 58 men (84%) in whom it was attempted. Significantly more ( P < 0.001) men were azoospermic after vasectomy (48 of 50) than after vas occlusion (only four). Men undergoing vas occlusion reported significantly less pain ( P = 0.02), swelling ( P = 0.01) and haematoma ( P = 0.04) after the procedure than did men undergoing vasectomy. Conclusion Men undergoing vas occlusion would not have been able to rely on the method for contraception. From this study, vas occlusion, at least in its current form, is an unsuitable method of male contraception. Not only was the efficacy poor, but constraints in delivering the method in its current state would probably limit its utility, especially in situations where resources are limited.