Sterilization

Description: surgical interruption of the fallopian tubes

Methods

• Tubal ligation with or without partial salpingectomy

• Partial destruction of oviduct with electrocoagulation

• Clipping or banding of the fallopian tubes

Can be performed under neuraxial or general anesthesia

Description: division and removal of a section of the vas deferens

Can be performed under local anesthesia

Complications

• Hematoma

• Surgical site infection

• Sperm granulomas: a collection of sperm due to leakage from the vas deferens into the surrounding interstitium

• Postvasectomy pain syndrome

  • A condition characterized by a chronic, dull, aching pain in the testes in patients who have had a vasectomy

  • Caused by the accumulation of testicular fluid in the epididymis

• Failure

  • Patients should be counseled about potential post-vasectomy pregnancies (approx. 1 in 2,000 cases)

  • Follow-up sperm sample test at three months after surgery to verify azoospermia