Vasectomy outcome of voluntary male surgical contraception at a
metropolitan maternity hospital
B. Dilbaz, A. P. Cil, I. B. Gultekin, E. Caliskan, Z. Kahyaoglu
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, SSK Maternity and Women’s Health
Teaching Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Objective: The main purpose of this prospective study is to determine
the outcome of vasectomy over a nine month period.
Design & Methods: The demographic data, sexual function before and
after surgery and awareness of the method of voluntary no-scalpel vasectomies,
between January and September 2003, performed at SSK Ankara Maternity and
Women’s Health Teaching Hospital Family Planning Center by two trained surgeons
were analyzed. All the patients were contacted by telephone and invited for
follow-up consisting of counseling, inquiry about sexual dysfunction and a semen
analysis. Of the 279 men analyzed and contacted by telephone, only 117 (40%)
came for a follow-up.
Results: The mean age at vasectomy was 40 years (range 29.52 years).
All the patients were married with a mean duration of 16.9 years (4.30 years).
Twenty-four percent had more than three children. There was no significant
difference between the number of girls or boys. Only 1.7% of men had
above-matriculation educational status, while 60.2% had primary school education.
The wives of 72% of men had at least one voluntary termination of pregnancy.
Fifty six percent of the men became aware of vasectomy through our family
planning education program given to couples after voluntary termination of
pregnancy. Thirty three percent of the patients became aware of vasectomy
through family planning clinics or health personnel, 9.3% of them heard about
vasectomy from a friend and only 1.7% received information through the media.
Prior to vasectomy, 59% of the couples had problems with previously used
contraceptive method. There was no intraoperative complication and the only
complication encountered was a post-vasectomy pregnancy. On direct questioning,
postoperatively sexual desire and performance remained unchanged in all of the
patients. Nine patients (7.7%) had >500,000 sperm/ml in their semen.
Five of the nine patients had a repeat vasectomy but four patients did not want
to have the procedure again.
Conclusions: Vasectomy did not effect the sexual function of men in
our study. Public awareness is important in creating a demand for vasectomy.
Patients should be encouraged to come for a follow-up visit and counseling on
vasectomy should always convey the possibility of failure and partner pregnancy.
