Abstract

PIP: A study concerning the psychological evaluation and subsequent counselling of vasectomy patients from 1974-1983 involved 267 operations. 151 are discussed in detail and 2 specific 2-year periods are compared (1974-1976 and 1980-1982). The only changes that were noted from this time comparison were minor: men seeking vasectomies in the later period tended to be slightly younger and to have fewer children. The operations were classified as elective vs. medical according to the indications. Couples were interviewed and evaluated once preoperatively; they were interviewed and counselled twice after the operation, at intervals of 3 and 12 months. The results indicate that classic parameters such as age and parity have little value in predicting success of assimilation of the changes brought about by sterilization. The exhaustive free preoperative interview with both husband and wife offers the best likelihood of positive adjustment, and postoperative interviews have a very important effect in terms of counselling and providing support during the adjustment process. There was a very high rate of post-vasectomy contentment (99%) and few patients failed to complete the follow-up provided; this demonstrates the importance of both the selection and guidance procedures. A significant factor in the overall success of the operations and the study, it should be added, is that those requesting sterilization by vasectomy are strongly motivated for the procedure.