During
a vasectomy, the tubes that move sperm from the testicles and out the urethra
are cut and then tied or sealed in such a way that sperm is unable to enter the
ejaculate and result in fertilization of the female egg. A traditional
vasectomy is effective at achieving this end goal: sterilization. However,
because it requires a needle, the approach can cause pain and, for those who
have a fear of needles, distress.
As
a way to allay these concerns and to provide for a more comfortable, pain-free
experience, the no-needle vasectomy was introduced. But in order to go into
this approach, one must first understand how a traditional vasectomy is
performed.
During
a traditional vasectomy, a needle is used to numb the scrotum with a local
anesthetic. Two tiny incisions—one on each side of the scrotum—are then made
with a scalpel, as to allow the surgeon to pull each vas deferens tube to the
surface so that it can be isolated and separated from the scrotal tissue. Once
the tubes are secluded from the scrotum, they are sealed off using sutures or
are burned using electrical cautery.
The
same techniques used to occlude the vas deferens are used with a no-needle vasectomy,
but there is an exception. Instead of using a needle to inject anesthesia, a
jet-injection tool is utilized. Known as a hypospray injector, the numbing
instrument uses a small explosion of compressed air to force medication deep
enough into the scrotal tissue to permit a nearly pain-free surgery.
Whether
a traditional vasectomy or no-needle vasectomy, both are brief outpatient
procedures that often take less than 30 minutes to completely perform. Since
neither vasectomy is complicated, only requires a few tiny incisions and uses standard
surgical instruments, a hospital stay is not necessary. The patient will only
need a short recovery period (typically less than an hour) in the physician’s
office or clinic before being sent home to rest.
About Eric K. Seaman, MD, FACS
Dr. Seaman has focused his urologic practice in the area of male infertility, having completed a clinical fellowship in Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery under the direction of Larry I. Lipshultz, MD at the Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Seaman has extensive training in male infertility including an extensive with vasectomy reversal microsurgery. He is the author of several publications appearing in journals including the Journal of Urology, Urologic Clinics of North America and Urology.
Featured Specialist for No Needle Vasectomy in Millburn, NJ
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