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J Clin Pathol 2002;55:812-816 doi:10.1136/jcp.55.11.812
  • Review

British Andrology Society guidelines for the assessment of post vasectomy semen samples (2002)

  1. P Hancock1,
  2. E McLaughlin2,
  3. The British Andrology Society
  1. 1Department of Microbiology, Yeovil District Hospital, Higher Kingston, Yeovil, Somerset BA21 4AT, UK
  2. 2University of Newcastle, School of Environmental and Life Science, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
  1. Mr P Hancock, Department of Microbiology, Yeovil District Hospital, Higher Kingston, Yeovil, Somerset BA21 4AT, UK;
 hancp{at}est.nhs.uk
  • Accepted 26 June 2002

Abstract

The British Andrology Society guidelines for the assessment of post vasectomy semen samples recommend that initial assessment is undertaken 16 weeks post vasectomy and after the patient has produced at least 24 ejaculates. The laboratory should examine a freshly produced seminal fluid specimen by direct microscopy and if no sperm are seen the centrifugate should be examined for the presence of motile and non-motile spermatozoa. It is recommended that the clinician should give clearance after the production of two consecutive sperm free ejaculates. In cases of persistent identification of non-motile spermatozoa the referring clinician should advise the patient regarding the cessation of other contraceptive precautions. Surgeons are responsible both preoperatively and postoperatively for the counselling of couples regarding complications and the possibility of late recanalisation after clearance.

Footnotes

    Responses to this article

    • BAS post vasectomy guidelines
      • Paul Hancock,
      • Eileen McLaughlin
      J Clin Pathol published online April 16, 2003
    • Assessment of post vasectomy semen samples
      • Richard Cunningham,
      • David Dance, Jim Greig, and Adam Brown
      J Clin Pathol published online February 11, 2003

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