Complications of vasectomies in the United States

Physicians in the United States were surveyed in 1983 to gather information concerning the number of vasectomies they performed in 1982 as well as their use of anesthesia and complications of those vasectomies. Most urologists performed vasectomies, whereas family physicians and general surgeons were less likely to do so. As expected, most physicians used local anesthesia, occasionally in combination with a sedative; however, 22 percent of physicians reported using general anesthesia for at least some vasectomies. Complication rates were in the ranges reported by previous case series. Physicians who performed between one and ten vasectomies in 1982 had higher rates of hematoma and hospitalization for treatment of a complication than physicians who performed more vasectomies. Maintenance of surgical skills appears to be important in preventing complications of this usually low-risk procedure.