Infection can be a complication of any surgical procedure. Infection after no-scalpel vasectomy is very uncommon and is estimated to occur in about 1 out of 1000 patients or 0.1%.
Technically surgical site infections can occur within the first 30 days of any procedure; however, vasectomy site infections will most often occur within three (3) to ten (10) days after a vasectomy. It would be very unusual to develop a vasectomy site infection within the first three (3) days of a vasectomy.
The first symptoms of an infection are when a patient says they don’t feel well. The first physical sign will be a purulent (bad smelling, yellow) discharge from a poorly healing vasectomy site. Scrotal redness, warmth, and swelling are often present. Fever may or may not an initial sign. Usually the scrotum is very tender. The tenderness and redness may extend into the groin areas.
Treatment for a vasectomy infection will involve antibiotics. On rare occasions hospitalization for intra-venous antibiotics and surgical drainage may be required.
Infection after no-scalpel vasectomy is so uncommon that The American Urological Association recommends against routine use of antibiotics for vasectomy in low risk individuals.
