Chinese vasectomy techniques minimize trauma, infection
Contraceptive Technology Update 8(1): 1-5
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0274-726X PMID: 12268495 Document Number: 347667
2 new vasectomy methods developed in the People's Republic of China minimize trauma and infection. Li Shungiang's microvasectomy method bypasses the common shortcoming of other surgical vasectomy methods--the incision of the scrotal skin and penetration into the scrotum which sometimes causes tissue trauma inside the scrotum, resulting in hematoma and infection. The method uses special surgical instruments to delicately pierce the scrotal wall and bluntly enlarge that opening without further incision to withdraw and ligate the vas deferens. Researchers followed 534 patients for 3 years with an effectiveness rate of 97.38% and 1 case complicated by chronic epididymitis. In an 8-year follow-up, effectiveness was recorded at 98.72% in 392 patients with 5 complications. The 2nd Chinese procedure, also developed by Li, may eliminate physical and psychological side effects of vasectomy by changing the very nature of the procedure. The percutaneous injection vasectomy uses a chemical occlusion compound that is injected into the vas lumen through a small puncture hole. The compound coagulates in the lumen, forming a plug, and the carbolic acid also induces scarring to further close the lumen. A 10-year follow-up study on 621 paitents shows an effectiveness rate of 98.31%. None of the subjects reported complications, although the procedure occasionally resulted in hematoma.