Irrigation of the distal vas deferens during vasectomy: does it accelerate the post-vasectomy sperm-free rate?

A prospective, non-randomized, partially blinded, controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of irrigation with normal saline solution (NSS) during no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV) compared with NSV alone in 62 men. In the NSS irrigation group, an Angiocath 24-gauge needle was inserted into the distal vas lumen, and 20 mL NSS solution was used to irrigate the vas manually on both sides. Post-operative follow-up included urine samples collected immediately and semen samples for sperm count at 2, 6 and 12 weeks post-vasectomy. The difference in the number of spermatozoa appearing in the post-vasectomy urine samples and the mean urine sperm count in both groups were significantly different ( p < 0.0001 and p < 0.01, respectively). The numbers of post-operative ejaculations, the mean sperm concentration, and the number of patients who achieved sterility (defined as no motile spermatozoa in the ejaculate) in both groups at 2, 6 and 12 weeks were similar ( p > 0.05). It is concluded that although irrigation of the distal vas with NSS was successful in removing a large number of spermatozoa from the tract, this procedure did not significantly accelerate the rate of achieving absence of motile spermatozoa in the ejaculate.