[Vasectomy and vas deferens contraceptive surgery: legal and technical aspects]

Abstract

Objectives: To analyse technical innovations, their results and the changing legislation in France concerning sterilizing or contraceptive vas deferens surgery.

Material and methods: A review of the literature was performed using the key words: male/contraception/vas deferens. From the 332 research articles obtained from PUBMED, we selected 54 articles for their methodological quality and the importance of their results.

Results: Vasectomy remains the only validated vas deferens surgical technique. Although microsurgical reconstructive techniques have improved the vas deferens restoration rate, vasectomy must be considered to be a definitive method of sterilization. The other contraceptive (reversible) vas deferens surgical techniques have not demonstrated sufficient efficacy to be used outside of the context of clinical trials. However the encouraging results ofsome ofthese studies could allow their development in the intermediate term. From a legal point of view, since the reform of sterilizing surgery in Article L2123-1 of the French Public Health Act, vasectomy is now authorized in a regulatory framework.

Conclusion: The urology community must take into account progress in the field of contraceptive vas deferens surgical techniques.