Blood coagulation following vasectomy

C. T. Kisker, K. K. Wu, D. A. Culp, J. G. Hackett, E. V. Hess and J. L. Houk

Concern that men may have an increased risk of the development of thrombophlebitis following vasectomy prompted the study of 58 vasectomized men and 37 age-matched controls. Eight patients undergoing total hip replacement also were studied, since they are known to have an increased risk of thrombotic complications. There were no changes in coagulation suggestive of a thrombotic tendency in the vasectomized population, though an increase in fibrinogen concentration was present preoperatively, and transient increases in factor V concentration, prothrombin time, and fibrinogen concentration were seen postoperatively in some cases. None of the vasectomized patients had clinical evidence suggestive of thrombosis.