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Vasectomy is the most common surgical procedure used for male sterilization. A vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure in which the vas deferens are isolated, cut, and ligated, thereby disrupting the flow of sperm into the ejaculate. When follow-up demonstrates no persistent sperm after a vasectomy, a man should no longer be able to father children.
Indications
- Desire for permanent male sterility
Procedure
Patients that undergo vasectomy in our surgery center are given conscious sedation, the scrotum is cleansed and prepped with an antiseptic solution, and then covered with a sterile drape. If the scrotum is not shaved, this is completed prior to the skin preparation. Local anesthesia is injected into the skin over the vas deferens and into the cord itself, allowing excellent pain control. Although the patient will be aware of some pressure and movement, this “cord block” relieves operative and postoperative pain for several hours. The vas deferens is then isolated, and a small segment is removed to be sent for pathologic confirmation. The lumen of the vas is cauterized and ties or titanium clips are placed on the ends. The incision or incisions are then closed with small dissolvable sutures.
Advantages
- Generally more safe and reliable than female sterilization
- Outpatient office procedure
- Less expensive than female sterilization
Side Effects
For the first several days after the procedure, the patient will likely have some heaviness and discomfort in the scrotum, particularly with activity. This decreases week by week, and usually by 2-3 weeks has completely resolved. There is commonly some swelling and bruising in the scrotum, and wearing a scrotal supporter or tight underwear for several days as instructed will decrease this. The thin and pliable scrotal tissues can occasionally allow the formation of a hematoma. Superficial skin infections around the incisions and stitches can occur and may require antibiotics or drainage in the office. A chronic pain syndrome can occur in approximately 1/1000 cases and may require vasectomy reversal for treatment. As with any surgical procedure, vasectomy has risks and benefits, and a small percentage of vasectomies “fail” due to re-canalization, or re-growth of sperm channels.
Please see our vasectomy brochure for additional information.
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