Increased rotational mobility of the testis after vasectomy: a sonographic study.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate for increased mobility of the testis in postvasectomy patients by observing changes in the position of the testis-epididymis complex (TEC).

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of 29 postvasectomy patients compared with 29 control patients without a history of vasectomy who were referred for scrotal sonography for various clinical indications over a 1 year-period. The position of the TEC was compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The post-vasectomy group had medial or posteromedial rotation in 13 of 58 testes (22%) compared with 3 of 58 (5%) in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study found a statistically higher incidence of medial rotation of the testis in the vasectomy group compared with the control group. Given our findings, it seems reasonable to assume that iatrogenic changes to the structural support mechanism of the testis occur when vasectomy is performed, with a resultant increase in the mobility of the testis within the scrotum.