This minor operation is followed by postoperative complications more frequently than is generally realised.
Chronic scrotal pain is the commonest complaint1, occurs in up to a third of patients2, and is considered troublesome by up to 1 in 6. Nevertheless, few have sufficient pain that they regret having had the surgery.
The cause of the pain is thought3 to be a combination of (1) fibrosis, (2) the intended blockage of the vas, (3) consequent cyst-formation, causing (4) compression and chronic inflammation of the epididymis (epididymitis). It is unclear why some men suffer postoperative scrotal pain while others have none: no surgical routine or deviation from surgical technique has been identified as causal.
Of the 5% or fewer who seek medical attention, the majority do not require or choose further surgery3. A minority are treated by epididymectomy, which is generally curative4.
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