Initiating a vasectomy training clinic in a family practice residency

The development of and initial experience with a vasectomy training clinic in a family practice residency program are presented. A literature review and faculty consensus resulted in the acceptance of a standardized technique in which the ends of the vas are cauterized and not tied. An appropriate time block per patient to allow for counseling and for teaching of the technique was 90 minutes. Patients were recruited by instituting reduced charges and advertising through the local Planned Parenthood office and county health service. A partial prepayment was required to reduce broken appointments. Review of the first 50 cases indicates a good resident experience, an appropriately low complication rate, and no failures.