Vasectomy is a commonly used, highly effective method for the control of fertility in the human male. It is almost always performed as an outpatient procedure, is safer than tubal occlusion and has few side effects. The number of people relying on vasectomy as a method of contraception varies widely from country to country. Though vasectomy is highly effective, failures may occur due to re-canalization of the vas, surgical error, anatomical variants or failure of contraception during the post-operative waiting period. One of the disadvantages of this technique is that sperm are present in the posterior end of the vas following surgery and hence patients have to use alternative methods of contraception for a waiting period of 12 weeks to 15 weeks before relying on a vasectomy for contraception. This review summarizes recent research on vasectomy conducted by Family Health International, USA.
Adult ; Cautery ; Humans ; Ligation ; Male ; Nepal ; Oligospermia ; Sperm Count ; Vas Deferens ; surgery ; Vasectomy ; methods

Although HIV is a significant problem in Africa, HIV infection rates are rising rapidly in other regions such as Asia and South America. International health organizations have recognized the need to develop effective strategies to check the worldwide transmission of HIV. Studies have demonstrated the significant reduction of HIV, HPV, HSV-2 and other STD infection rates with male circumcision (MC). Although numerous MC techniques are available, there are no standardized protocols and surgical training programs. Studies have shown that the standardization of MC techniques coupled with training programs can significantly reduce complication rates. High complication rates have been a primary obstacle to the implementation of MC services. We recommend the establishment of surgical standards and training protocols prior to the promotion of MC services in China.
China ; Circumcision, Male ; standards ; HIV Infections ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVEStandardization of and training in adult male circumcision can significantly reduce its complication rate. Currently no such program exists for its standardization and training, making it difficult to guarantee the quality of male circumcision services. We therefore established a standardized surgical protocol for adult male circumcision in China using the Shang Ring, and applied it to a clinical study examining the performance of the Shang Ring in adult male circumcision.

METHODSA total of 328 adult men aged 18-58 (mean 27.8) years, 25 with phimosis and 303 with redundant prepuce, underwent circumcision with the Shang Ring, and evaluation of the operation time, pain scores (using the visual analog scale), postoperative complications, time for wound healing, and their satisfaction with the postoperative appearance.

RESULTSThe operation time was 4.7 +/- 1.3 minutes. The pain scores were 0. 2 +/- 0.6 during the surgery, 1.6 +/- 1.0 twenty hours postoperatively, 1.7 +/- 1.1 twenty hours prior to the ring removal, and 2.7 +/- 1.4 during the ring removal. Complications included infection in 2 (0.6%), bleeding in 2 (0.6%), and wound dehiscence in 2 (0.6%) of the patients. None of the patients with wound dehiscence required postoperative suturing and all were managed conservatively instead. Sixteen of the patients (4.9%) experienced penile edema. The time for complete wound healing after circumcision was 20.3 +/- 6.7 days. The rate of the patients'satisfaction was 99.7% (327/328).

CONCLUSIONThe standard protocol of adult male circumcision with the Shang Ring has the advantages of short operation time, slight pain, low rate of complications, and high satisfaction and acceptance of the patients. Strict standardization of the surgical protocol can maximize its clinical advantages for adult male circumcision.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; Circumcision, Male ; methods ; standards ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phimosis ; surgery ; Reference Standards ; Young Adult