Minimally invasive vasectomy.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the associated morbidity and patient comfort of the 'minimally invasive, no scalpel' (MINS) vasectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eighty-nine consecutive patients presenting for vasectomy underwent a MINS procedure. Post-operatively, the pain experienced, recovery time and complication rate were assessed using a postal questionnaire. The questionnaire was also used to assess a group of historical controls who had undergone a vasectomy using a standard technique.

RESULTS

The length of time to recovery was significantly reduced in patients who underwent the MINS vasectomy (P < 0.05) and the pain, bruising, swelling and complication rate were also less than in patients who underwent a standard vasectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

The MINS vasectomy is preferable to a standard technique, reducing both patient morbidity and the complication rate. This is attributable to the minimal dissection and reduced tissue handling required to expose and isolate the vas.