Vasectomy is an operation for long-term infertility for contraceptive purposes.
The vas is a muscular tube that transports the sperm from the testes to the seminal vesicle at the back of the bladder. In a vasectomy this tube is divided and a small segment removed.
This is usually done under a local anaesthetic. The vas is felt through the skin and brought to the surface. Local anaesthetic is then injected in to the skin and around the vas. Through a small cut the vas is produced and both ends are closed. The tissue is sutured across between the two ends. This is to prevent the rejoining of the cut and tied ends. The skin cut is then closed with a dissolvable suture. This procedure needs to be done on both sides.
The procedure may need to be done under a general anaesthetic and perhaps more through the groin than the scrotum. This situation usually occurs if there has been previous surgery in the area.
Small pieces of vas removed will be tested.Sperm counts are done with the first time at three months. The second count is done six months after that.
Post-operatively you should take things very quietly, at least for 24 hours. A pair of tight or supporting underpants should be worn. You may find some relief with an ice pack to the area. Normal showering or bathing can continue. The sutures are dissolving and will fall out on the 5th to 7th day. This wound will sometimes gape a little but usually heals well.
Complications of this procedure are bleeding or bruising into the tissues, infections within the scrotum and also the skin around the cut. Cysts can form on the cut end of the vas. Rejoining the vas has been reported to occur rarely. This can result in becoming fertile again. That is the reason the second sperm count is performed.
Picture courtesy of RACS and MI-tec Publishing. The complete patient education pamphlet is available from your surgeon.
