PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Timothy Black AU - Colin Francome TI - The evolution of the Marie Stopes electrocautery no-scalpel vasectomy procedure AID - 10.1783/147118902101196270 DP - 2002 Jul 01 TA - Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care PG - 137--138 VI - 28 IP - 3 4099 - http://jfprhc.bmj.com/content/28/3/137.short 4100 - http://jfprhc.bmj.com/content/28/3/137.full SO - J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care2002 Jul 01; 28 AB - Objective To review the evolution of the procedure, the reoperation rate and efficacy data for vasectomies performed in Marie Stopes centres during the periods 1990-1994 and 1995-1999. Design Retrospective review of re-operation rates and primary and secondary failures during the periods 1990-1994 and 1995-1999. Setting Marie Stopes vasectomy centres in the UK. Participants A total of 41 123 men undergoing vasectomy. Results The re-operation rate for the period 1990-1994 was 0.7% and fell to 0.46% for 1995-1999. The reported pregnancy rate fell from 1 in 1429 procedures for the period 1990-1994 to 1 in 2804 for 1995-1999. Conclusion The results show that vasectomy has had a low failure rate well below that of other methods of birth control. The outcome data continue to improve over time with the evolution of improved techniques and surgical expertise.