No Scalpel Vasectomy
What is a vasectomy?
A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that sterilizes a man by blocking the vas deferens, or sperm ducts, which carry sperm from the testes through the prostate and to the urethra during ejaculation.
During a conventional vasectomy, small incisions are made on each side of the scrotum to block the vas deferens. Because the procedure requires a scalpel to make the incisions, a conventional vasectomy can result in pain and bleeding.
How is a no-scalpel vasectomy different?
A no-scalpel vasectomy does not rely on incisions to block the vas deferens. Instead, your provider will gently locate the vas deferens and grasps them with a specialized set of instruments, eliminating the need for a scalpel altogether.
There are many ways to block the vas deferens during a no-scalpel vasectomy, including cutting, tying, or cauterizing the tubes to sterilize them. To ensure this procedure is as effective as possible, Dr. Rohde uses a combination of these methods.
What happens during a no-scalpel vasectomy?
A no-scalpel vasectomy takes about 60 minutes, which includes 15 minutes for preparation and 30 minutes for the actual procedure. After you arrive in the procedure room, you will take off your pants and lie down on the table covering with a sheet.
Next your penis is tied with an elastic band which is then clipped to your shirt to expose the scrotum and keep your penis out of the way during the procedure.
A surgical assistant will do a sterile scrub and prep of the scrotal area, and then the area is covered with sterile drapes which takes approximately 10 minutes. Next, a numbing solution is injected into the scrotum to ensure you feel as comfortable as possible during the procedure.
Finally, your provider locates the vas deferens tubes one at a time and grasps them with a specially designed clamp. They make a tiny 1/4" puncture in the scrotum and then gently lifts each vas tube out of the small opening.
Dr. Rohde uses a four-step method to ensure your no-scalpel vasectomy is effective for the rest of your life by removing a small portion of the vas deferens to keep the tubes apart and then cauterizing one end of the tube. A permanent suture is tied around the cauterized tube to further block it.
There is one final step to the process: “fascial interposition.” This involves placing one tube back into the surrounding tissues from which it was removed to tie it closed and keep the two ends of the vas deferens apart.
These separated tubes are then placed back into the scrotum, and the same procedure is then performed on the other vas deferens.
The team places small tape strips on the opening to hold it together as the no-scalpel vasectomy does not require stitches.
What happens after a no-scalpel vasectomy?
You should feel perfectly comfortable leaving the office without help, but we require you arrange a ride home as you may still be under the influence of the calming anti-anxiety medication you were given prior to the vasectomy.
In six months, you will drop off a specimen you collect at home in the provided sterile specimen jar for us to send to the lab to ensure there are no remaining sperm in the vas deferens and you will be unable to father another child.
If you’re ready to consider a no-scalpel vasectomy, call Renew Total Body Wellness Center, or complete the form online HERE.
