PURPOSE Teaching the no-scalpel vasectomy is important, since vasectomy is a safe, simple, and cost-effective method of contraception. This minimally invasive vasectomy technique involves delivering the vas through the skin with specialized tools. This technique is associated with fewer complications than the traditional incisional vasectomy (1). One of the most challenging steps is the deliver...

PURPOSE Post-vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA) is the traditional method of confirming sterility after vasectomy. However, PVSA protocols vary in the end points accepted, and the number and timing of tests. In this systematic review we make evidence based recommendations on the appropriate PVSA protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS Databases (MEDLINE, Current Contents, Cochrane Library and EMBASE) we...

STUDY QUESTION Does vasectomy impact microRNA (miRNA) expression in the epididymis and seminal microvesicles (SMVs) in a non-reversible manner? SUMMARY ANSWER The miRNA signature in the epididymis and SMVs is altered by vasectomy and only partially restored after vasovasostomy surgery. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Vasectomy modifies the epididymal transcriptome and triggers non-reversible changes ...

Around 42 million couples worldwide rely on vasectomy as a method of family planning. It is well recognised that a vasectomy can fall at any stage, and therefore warning couples of risk of failure forms an important part of the consent procedure.

BACKGROUND Randomized controlled trials comparing different vasectomy occlusion techniques are lacking. Thus, this multicenter randomized trial was conducted to compare the probability of the success of ligation and excision vasectomy with, versus without, fascial interposition (i.e. placing a layer of the vas sheath between two cut ends of the vas). METHODS The trial was conducted between De...

available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27646949 Editorial Comment: Patients often ask me if vasectomy increases their risk of prostate cancer. I tell them that I do not think it does and that the AUA guidelines on the topic support my view. That said, there are a number of large cohort studies that intimate there may be a relationship. There are a similar number of large studies that f...