Scheduling Appointments for Postvasectomy Semen Analysis Has No Impact on Compliance

Abstract

BackgroundA postvasectomy semen analysis (PVSA) is recommended 8–16 wk after vasectomy to ensure azoospermia. Patient compliance with submitting a semen sample for PVSA has historically been low. To increase patient compliance, a policy change was made to schedule patients for PVSA appointments instead of a previous “drop-in” option. ObjectiveTo compare patient compliance for PVSA when scheduling appointments as opposed to a “drop-in” appointment 8–16 wk after the procedure. Design, setting, and participantsEthical approval was obtained to retrospectively evaluate patients undergoing vasectomy. A total of 400 patients were evaluated, 200 consecutive patients before and 200 after the policy change. Patients were excluded from analysis if they had other surgeries at the same time of vasectomy or if the vasectomy was a repeat procedure. Outcome measurements and statistical analysisPercent of patients attending PVSA and time to PVSA were assessed. Nominal data were compared using chi-square analysis and interval data were compared using Student unpaired t test. Results and limitationsThirteen patients were excluded from analysis: six before and seven after the policy change. Compliance rates were similar before and after the policy change (144/194 [74%] and 154/193 [80%], p=0.19). There was no difference in the time from vasectomy to PVSA between groups (before: mean [standard deviation] 69 [55] d vs after: 74 (63) d, p=0.44). This study is limited by its retrospective design. ConclusionsScheduling appointments for PVSA has no impact on compliance rates or the time between vasectomy and semen analysis when compared with “drop-in” appointments. Patient summarySterility after a vasectomy is guaranteed by delivering a semen sample. Many men do not deliver this sample, and sterility cannot be guaranteed. This study found that scheduling appointments did not increase the number of men who delivered a semen sample compared with “drop-in” appointments.