OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the magnitude and range of complications encountered during no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV) and to identify any limiting factor or contraindication to NSV. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 4255 men visiting a family welfare clinic of a city hospital in Delhi, India, or outpatients of the surgery department, opted for NSV; 4253 procedures were performed from September 1989 to December 1997, with two not performed because of technical difficulties. The success and complication rates were recorded. RESULTS: The complication rates with NSV were surprisingly low; seven complications were encountered, comprising two small haematomas (0.047%), three painful nodules (0.07%), three wound infections (0.07%) and two vasal fistulae, a complication not previously described. A meticulous procedure should avoid this last complication. The mean duration of NSV was 9.5 min. CONCLUSION: NSV is a refined and rapid technique of vasectomy with an extremely low complication rate. Being a minimally invasive procedure, it allays the fear of incision commonly encountered in men choosing vasectomy.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the magnitude and range of complications encountered during no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV) and to identify any limiting factor or contraindication to NSV. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 4255 men visiting a family welfare clinic of a city hospital in Delhi, India, or outpatients of the surgery department, opted for NSV; 4253 procedures were performed from September 1989 to December 1997, with two not performed because of technical difficulties. The success and complication rates were recorded. RESULTS: The complication rates with NSV were surprisingly low; seven complications were encountered, comprising two small haematomas (0.047%), three painful nodules (0.07%), three wound infections (0.07%) and two vasal fistulae, a complication not previously described. A meticulous procedure should avoid this last complication. The mean duration of NSV was 9.5 min. CONCLUSION: NSV is a refined and rapid technique of vasectomy with an extremely low complication rate. Being a minimally invasive procedure, it allays the fear of incision commonly encountered in men choosing vasectomy.