A study on postoperative vasectomy cases
Mridha, S.N.; Ganguly, M.M.; Jana, B.R.
Journal of the Indian Medical Association 73(12): 209-212
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5847 PMID: 546987 Document Number: 447489
A followup study of a sample of 160 of the 2500 men, who had vasectomies at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Calcutta from 1972-1975, was conducted in order to assess the characteristics of acceptors, the frequency of postoperative complications, and the impact of vasectomy on sexual feelings. 53.1% of the men were between the ages of 35-44. Average marriage duration was 13.1 years and the men had an average of 3.75 children. 96.8% of the men were literate. 60.6% had incomes below Rs.200, 35.6% had incomes between Rs.201-500, and 3.8% had incomes above Rs.501. 159 of the men were Hindu. 50% of the men reported that they experience contraceptive failure prior to vasectomy. Post operative complications were experienced by 70.62% of the men. 32.5% of the 160 men experienced early complications within 10 days after the operation and 83.1% experienced late complications, 10 or more days following the procedure. In reference to early complications, out of the total 160 patients, 11.2% had local pain or swelling; 14.4% had stitch abscess, 4.4% had bleeding or hematoma, 1.9% had fever, and 0.6% had hemorrhagic diathesis. In reference to late complications, out of the total 160 patients, 13.1% had cord related problems, 10.6% had swelling of the epididymis, 10.6% had swelling of the testis, and 3.8% experienced a general deterioration in health. Sexual feelings after the vasectomy remained the same for 62.5% of the patients, decreased for 31.25%, and improved for 6.25%. Among those patients who had decreased sexual feeling, 55.6% were between the ages of 45-54, 31.8% were between the ages of 35-40, and 25.5% were between the ages of 25-34. A decrease in sexual feeling was significantly related to post operative late complications. Among the 123 men who had a semen analysis 90 days following vasectomy, 18 had positive readings and 105 had negative readings. 6 of the 123 men reported that their wives conceived after vasectomy and of these 6, only 4 had positive readings. The study findings were presented in tabular form.