Outcome of vasectomies performed at a Turkish metropolitan maternity hospital.

OBJECTIVE

To determine prospectively the outcome of vasectomies performed by two trained surgeons over a 9-month period at the Ministry of Health Ankara Etlik Maternity and Women's Health Teaching and Research Hospital Family Planning Centre.

METHODS

The demographic data, source of information concerning the method, sexual function before and after voluntary no-scalpel vasectomy, compliance with the post-vasectomy follow-up program of men applying for a vasectomy were analyzed. All patients were contacted by telephone and invited for follow-up visits for counseling, inquiry regarding sexual dysfunction, and performance of a semen analysis.

RESULTS

The patients were married men, mostly primary school graduates, with more than one child. Sources of information were health services and/or health personnel for 89% of the patients. Of the 279 men who underwent a vasectomy and who were later contacted by phone, 131 (47%) came for a follow-up assessment. There was only one post-vasectomy pregnancy (0.8%). The incidence of reported sexual problems did not change after the procedure. Vasectomy did not affect the sexual function of men in our study.

CONCLUSION

Compliance with follow-up after vasectomy, which is extremely important for assessment of its successful outcome, is low.