Comparison 1. No‐scalpel versus standard incision.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Perioperative bleeding	2	1534	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.59 [0.33, 1.04]
2 Hematoma during follow up	2	1182	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.23 [0.15, 0.36]
3 Operating time <=6 minutes	1	1428	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.37 [1.92, 2.91]
4 Operating time >=11 min	1	1428	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.56 [0.43, 0.73]
5 Perioperative difficulty in identifying ductus	1	99	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.54 [0.05, 5.30]
6 Perioperative difficulty in isolating the vas	1	1421	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.80 [1.18, 2.76]
7 Perioperative equipment difficulties (unspecified)	1	1456	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.28 [0.10, 0.77]
8 Perioperative need for assistance from second operator	1	99	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.77 [0.67, 4.70]
9 Perioperative pain	1	1428	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.75 [0.61, 0.93]
10 Pain during follow up	1	86	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.03 [0.43, 2.52]
11 Pain or tenderness during long‐term follow up	1	1272	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.78 [0.46, 1.32]
12 Scrotal pain during follow up	2	1179	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.66 [0.52, 0.83]
13 Pain at ejaculation during follow up	1	86	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	7.94 [0.49, 129.15]
14 Infection during follow up	2	1182	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.34 [0.13, 0.90]
15 Wound problems during follow up	1	86	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.51 [0.18, 1.47]
16 Sterility	1	1239	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.94 [0.50, 1.76]
17 Vasectomy failure	1	1239	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.87 [0.37, 2.07]