RESUMO
PIP: A surgical technique for vasectomy devised by Schmidt is said to prevent spontaneous recanalization. The cut ends of the vas are not ligated but sealed by light diathermy with an electrode in the lumen. The sealed ends are separated by closing the sheath over one end only. 000(metric 3) plain catgut was used for this and no piece of vas was excised. Follow-up of a series of 1000 vasectomies carried out using this technique resulted in 1 case of recanalization. Each man was followed-up a year after the operation to see if the sterilization had been successful in preventing pregnancy. Replies came from 914 men; 187 provided further specimens. No cases of recanalization were found either because of motile spermatozoa presence or unplanned pregnancy. Only 1 other report of a follow-up series is available for comparison. The technique was excision of 1 cm to 4 cm of vas with crushing the ends and ligation with silk. 5-6 cases of recanalization were found; 3 cases of late recanalization were also found. The Schmidt technique is effective in preventing recanalization.^ieng