Delayed Thrombophlebitis and Systemic Complications After Vasectomy: Possible Role of Diabetogenic Hyperevsulinism*

Abstract

The development of unexplained thrombophlebitis and puzzling systemic disorders within one to several years after elective vasectomy is reported. The systemic features included prolonged fever, generalized lymph node enlargement, various skin eruptions, arthropathy, recurrent infections, glomerulonephritis, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, neuropsychiatric features, increased BSP retention, an elevated level of circulating globulins, and a biologic false‐positive serologic reaction. The frequency of concomitant severe reactive hypoglycemia due to diabetogenic hyperinsulinism in these patients also was noteworthy. The possible pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed, including induced hormonal imbalances, autosensitization to testicular nucleoproteins, and altered blood coagulation in the hyperinsulinized‐diabetic state. These observations challenge the presumed innocuousness of elective vasectomy. The challenge assumes even greater significance in view of the current wholesale performance of vasectomy in an affluent society that is increasingly stigmatized by the hyperinsulinized‐diabetic state. If catastrophic iatrogenic damage is to be averted, it appears mandatory to ascertain the true incidence of delayed systemic complications in the large numbers of vasectomized American men who have chosen this procedure for the purpose of family limitation.

Immune complex orchitis in vasectomized rabbits.

“…An obvious concern is whether this procedure causes long-term local or systemic disease. Scattered reports have increased this concern suggesting a correlation between vasectomy and damage of the testis or diseases in organs far from the surgical site, such as thrombophlebitis, arthritis, and even glomerulonephritis (40). The present results suggest that further studies of testis and kidney are necessary in order to clarify the possible side effects of antigen-antibody complexes in vasectomized men who frequently develop high levels of antibodies to sperm antigens (41).…”

Deep venous thrombosis after office vasectomy: a case report

“…While the association we propose is not generally known, there is limited precedent in the medical literature. Two articles by Roberts [ 1 , 2 ] in 1968 and 1971 hypothesized there is an association between vasectomy and thrombophlebitis. However, these cases reported a delay of several years between the vasectomies and the presumed related thrombotic events.…”