Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 02/17/2009
Complications occur in approximately 5% of vasectomies. The rates of incidence of some of the more common complications are:
- mild bleeding into the scrotum: one in 400
- major bleeding into the scrotum: one in 1000
- infection: one in 100
- epididymitis: one in 100
- sperm granuloma: one in 500
- persistent pain: one in 1,000
Fournier gangrene is a very rare but possible complication of vasectomy in which the lining of tissue underneath the skin of the scrotum becomes infected (a condition called fasciitis). Fournier gangrene progresses very rapidly and is treated with aggressive antibiotic therapy and surgery to remove necrotic (dead) tissue. Despite treatment, a mortality rate of 45% has been reported for this condition.
Advertisement
Other Information
Vasectomy is a surgical procedure in which the vasa deferentia of a man are cut for the purpose of sterilization.
There are some variations on the procedure such as no-scalpel (keyhole) vasectomies, in which a sharp hemostat, rather than a scalpel, is used to puncture the scrotum. Another type of vasectomy which may reduce the risk of chronic pain is called an "open ended" vasectomy. A "normal" vasectomy typically seals both ends of the vas deferens with stitches, heat, metal clamps or a combination, after cutting. The open-ended vasectomy obstructs only the top end of the vas deferens. With this method sperm leaks out from the lower severed end of the vas deferens and into the scrotum, thus hopefully avoiding a build-up of pressure in the epididymis. The likelihood of long-term testicular pain from "backup pressure" seems to be reduced using this method.
Other Information
In 2000, the estimated number of hospital admissions among adults aged 18 or older with urinary incontinence listed as a diagnosis was of 47,802 hospital stays (1,332 men; 46,470 women).
From: NKUDIC
Find a Qualified Specialist
Looking for a specialist?
Please enter your zip code.
