Vasectomy is a very simple and safe method of contraception that is performed under local anesthesia. In vasectomy, the vas deferens is severed to prevent sperm from going from the testicles to the penis. The prostate and seminal vesicles continue to produce the same liquid, so the semen that is expelled has the same appearance, but without sperm and without risk of pregnancy.
After vasectomy, the sexuality of the male does not change, and there is the advantage of not being afraid of pregnancy.
Can anyone have it done?
It is performed under local anesthesia and at the end you go home. It can be performed on any man, unless he is taking anticoagulant (Sintrom) or antiplatelet medications.
Vasectomy is much more reliable than other contraceptive methods. It eliminates the risk that birth control pills can cause to women and allows them to enjoy sexuality without the need for a condom and without fear of pregnancy.
What does no-scalpel vasectomy consist of and how does it differ from conventional vasectomy?
No-scalpel vasectomy was designed in China in 1974 by Dr. Shlianqiang Li. It is performed under local anesthesia. With a special clamp designed by Dr. Li, the vas deferens is located and fixed outside the scrotum.
Subsequently, with a very sharp-tipped forceps (Figure 2), a small hole is made in the skin, the vas deferens is removed and the segment of the vas deferens that goes to the prostate is sectioned and coagulated. Both vas deferens are sectioned through this hole. As the orifice is minimal, it is not necessary to stitch the skin.
The traditional technique consists of making two incisions in the scrotum above the testicles and locating and sectioning the vas deferens. It requires two incisions and stitches to close the skin.
No-scalpel vasectomy offers the same effectiveness as the classic technique, it is simpler, recovery is faster and there is less chance of bleeding.
What postoperative care should be followed?
At the end of the vasectomy, the man goes home or to work.
He must wear a tight-fitting slip for 7 days and avoid heavy exertion for the first 3 days. As there are no stitches in the skin, it is only necessary to put some drops of povidone iodine for 4 or 5 days.
Can it be reversed?
Vasectomy can be reversed by microsurgery. This technique is called vaso-vasostomy and if performed by an andrologist expert in microsurgery excellent results are obtained.
To facilitate reversal, vasectomy should be performed by an experienced uro-andrologist. There are several tricks that facilitate the reversal: sectioning the vas deferens away from the testicle, not coagulating the segment of the vas deferens coming from the testicle, and preserving the vas deferens artery and vein.