WHAT IS A VASECTOMY?

Vasectomy is a minimally invasive in-office surgical procedure to make a man sterile. The surgeon performing the vasectomy will numb the area with local anesthetic and a small incision will be made in the scrotal skin. During the procedure the vas deferens is divided in two. The vas deferens is the tube that carries the sperm from the testicles.  Depending on the size of the incision, the surgeon may choose to place a stitch to close the incision.

After vasectomy, portions of the vas deferens within the pelvis still contain live sperm until they are released.

• Approximately 98% of men are sperm-free after 12 weeks.
• In 5% of men, the semen may still contain some sperm (usually few in number and not active) for months.

SCALPEL-FREE

All methods of vasectomy require the skin to be opened. Minimally invasive vasectomy techniques, including the no scalpel vasectomy procedure, use small skin incisions and special instruments that result in less bleeding and pain, a smaller hole in the skin, a faster recovery, and fewer complications when compared to a traditional vasectomy.

For this technique, a pointed instrument is used to pierce the skin and stretch the opening area, rather than making an incision with a sharp scalpel. While the no scalpel vasectomy procedure isn't entirely painless, a small amount of lidocaine solution is injected in to the area prior to the procedure to minimize discomfort.

Ogden Clinic providers proudly offer minimally invasive vasectomies to Weber and Davis county residents. This method translates to quicker patient recovery and less post-operative complications.

LIMITATIONS

• Not 100% reversible
• Other forms of birth control must be used until sperm-free
• Does not prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

RISKS

Vasectomy is a common operation with over 500,000 procedures being performed yearly in the U.S. Through the decades, vasectomy has consistently proven to be a safe and effective surgery. Despite the unlikelihood of complications, patients should be aware of potential risks that may include:
 

• Bleeding - There is a small chance of bleeding, but it is less common with a minimally invasive vasectomy. If bleeding occurs in the scrotum, drainage of the blood could be necessary. A small amount of bleeding does not require surgical drainage, but the area may be tender or discolored for 2-4 weeks. Bleeding under the skin may also cause swelling or bruising.
   
• Infection - This is a rare complication. If infection occurs, a course of antibiotics may be prescribed to resolve it.
   
• Sperm granuloma - Leakage of sperm from the vas deferens into the surrounding tissue can result in the formation of a small lump called a sperm granuloma. This condition is not usually painful and requires no further treatment. Occasionally this may cause pain that can be treated with Ibuprofen and Tylenol. In rare cases, surgical removal may be necessary.
   
• Pain - In some cases, men have experienced long-term testicular pain and some have required a second procedure to help resolve such pain. Less that 1% of men will experience long term pain.
   
• Rejoining of the vas deferens - It is possible for the two ends of the vas deferens to rejoin. In this case, the man is no longer sterile and would need a second procedure to become sterile again. This is an extremely rare event with current methods of occlusion.

RECOVERY

If you get your vasectomy on a Friday, you can expect to be back to work by Monday. You may experience some discomfort or swelling in the scrotum. You may also have some bruising or a small amount of bleeding from the incisions.

You should expect to be off your feet for 1-2 days following the procedure. Ice packs and anti-inflammatory over-the-counter medication will relieve minor discomfort.

Contact Us

Ready to get started? Contact us today at 801.475.3160 or request an appointment online.