HNY Policy and Pathway Repository - Hull

Male Sterilisation

This intervention under local anaesthesia is commissioned and usually:

• the technique used should be minimally invasive with cautery
• the procedure should be performed under local anaesthetic in a suitably equipped community setting

 

Simple transection and/or single tying of each vas is not commissioned.

 

This intervention under general anaesthesia is commissioned if the following apply:

• there is previous documented allergy or absolute medical contra-indication to Local Anaesthetic OR
• Examination findings indicate that surgery is likely to be technically difficult e.g. inability to palpate and mobilize both vas deferens; large hydroceles; varicoceles; scarring due to past trauma or surgery OR
• the risk of haemorrhage (bleeding) is high e.g. due to medication OR
• special monitoring is required e.g. electronic heart devices

 

This intervention under general anaesthesia is not commissioned solely because of patient preference, fear of the procedure or needle phobia.

 

Vasectomy under local or general anaesthesia is not commissioned in the case of request for repeat sterilisation following a sterilisation reversal procedure.

Simple transection and/or single tying of each vas leads to an increased risk of early complications and failure of sterilisation.

 

Sterilisation is regarded as irreversible; therefore, reversal of sterilisation is not routinely funded, nor is repeat sterilisation.

Service standards for vasectomy April 2024 (FSRH)