What Are The General risks?
Any
surgery carries the risk of infection or swelling to some degree.
The No Scalpel Vasectomy is known for its reduced chance of bleeding.
Occasionally, with any type of vasectomy a small hematoma (pocket of
blood) can occur.
* A sperm granuloma
occurs in about 3% of vasectomies. The granuloma is a hard, sometimes
painful lump that is the size of a pea and may form over a period of
weeks as a result of sperm leakage. The lump is not dangerous and usually
resolves over time.
* Congestion
of sperm may cause some aching in the area of the testicles for two
to twelve weeks after vasectomy. Like a granuloma, congestion usually
resolves over time.
* Epididymitis
is an inflammation of the larger tube behind the testicle that connects
to the vas. It occurs in approximately 1% of patients. Antibiotics are
used for treatment.
* Antibodies
are produced by the body in response to the absorbed sperm. The antibodies
are not thought to be harmful but can make fertility difficult to restore
later.
* Persistent testicular
discomfort is rare.
* Spontaneous formation
of a new vas deferens connection (recanalization) through the
scar tissue left by the vasectomy occurs very rarely. This can usually
be detected by a semen test after surgery. Recanalization occurs in
as little as 1 out of 4,000 men (after a negative semen test has been
performed at 12 weeks or longer after surgery), but pregnancy can result.
* Some studies have
suggested, but not proven, that vasectomy may be associated with an
increased risk of heart
disease and prostate
cancer.
