No Scalpel Vasectomy: An Overview

What Is a No-Scalpel Vasectomy?

Vasectomy is a surgical procedure done to make a male sterile. After a vasectomy, the sperm can no longer mix with the semen ejaculated from the penis. In simple terms, it is a birth control operation that prevents the sperm from leaving the body. Vasectomy has been done for many years with the help of a scalpel. However, a new concept called no-scalpel vasectomy has become popular since the 1980s. The biggest advantage of a no-scalpel vasectomy is that it is as effective as a conventional vasectomy.

What Is a Vasectomy?

A vasectomy is an effective birth-control surgical procedure where a doctor blocks the small tubes that transport the sperm out of the testicles. As a result, the patient will ejaculate, but it will not have sperm. As the patient will not be producing any sperm, there are no chances of a female becoming pregnant. Normally, sperm is the motile reproductive cell that mixes with the seminal fluid produced by the prostate gland and the seminal vesicles. This mixture of the sperm and the seminal fluid traveling to the penis through the vas deferens is released into the female genital tract.

What Happens During a Vasectomy?

During a conventional vasectomy, the doctor assesses the tubes that carry the sperm or the vas deferens and disconnects them surgically. Once the tubes are surgically disconnected, the doctor seals the cut ends. The patient needs to keep the most crucial thing in mind is that he will produce sperm in the testicles. This is because the penis and the scrotum will appear the same from the outside, but the sperm cannot exit the testicles because the internal passages are blocked. Therefore, the orgasm will contain only fluid and not sperm.

What Is the Difference Between No-Scalpel Vasectomy and Conventional Vasectomy?

The significant difference between a no-scalpel and a conventional vasectomy is the way in which the surgeon approaches the vas deferens. The tubes or the ducts that carry the sperm from the testicles to the urethra are known as the vas deferens. The surgeon makes a small cut or incision on any one side of the scrotum during a conventional vasectomy to access the vas deferens. On the contrary, in a no-scalpel vasectomy, the vas deferens are held with the help of a clamp. Next, the doctor makes a hole in the scrotum with the help of a needle to access the ducts. The study reports that people undergoing conventional vasectomy are at less risk of infections and hematomas. The biggest advantage of the procedure is that it can be faster than a conventional vasectomy. Therefore, the patient has minimal surgical trauma after the procedure is complete.

What Are the Indications of No-Scalpel Vasectomy?

Vasectomy is specifically indicated for males who do not want to become fathers and want to undergo an inexpensive procedure of permanent voluntary sterilization. It is not as popular as other sterilization methods like tubal ligation, but a no-scalpel vasectomy is economical, minimally invasive, and is not performed under general anesthesia. So, the patient remains aware of his surroundings throughout the procedure. In addition, fertility can be checked at any time with the help of a semen analysis.

What Are the Contraindications of a No-Scalpel Vasectomy?

There are some absolute and relative contraindications to no-scalpel vasectomy. For example, extreme medical care and precautions must be taken for patients taking anticoagulants or blood thinners. In addition, a patient's written and verbal consent must be taken before starting the procedure. The other contraindications of the procedure are listed below:

• The patient has anatomic abnormalities due to which the doctor cannot palpate or mobilize the vas deferens.

• Traumatic injury to the scrotum.

• Scarring of the scrotum.

• Acute infections in the skin surrounding the scrotum.

How Does the Patient Prepare for the No-Scalpel Vasectomy Procedure?

The patient must keep in mind the following things before undergoing the procedure:

1. The doctor will explain the procedure in detail and obtain written consent from the patient.

2. A physical examination of the scrotum and testicles will be done to check whether the patient is clinically fit for the procedure or not.

3. The patient can tell the doctor if he is allergic to local anesthesia or any other medications.

4. The patient must consult the doctor if he is taking over-the-counter drugs like Ibuprofen or Paracetamol and blood thinners like Aspirin. The doctor might ask the patient to stop taking these drugs before the procedure.

5. The patient must wear comfortable and loose clothes before coming for the procedure.

6. Bring athletic support or a jockstrap to support the scrotum.

What Happens During the No-Scalpel Vasectomy Procedure?

An important point to be noted here is that no-scalpel vasectomy is an outpatient procedure. So the patient will not have to stay in the hospital for long and will be discharged the same day. The steps of the procedure are listed below:

1. First, the patient will change his clothes and wear a hospital gown.

2. The doctor will inject a local anesthetic into the groin or scrotum so the procedure can be carried out safely.

3. The doctor might also give some medication before the procedure to relax the patient.

4. The doctor will palpate the skin to access the vas deferens.

5. Finally, when the ducts are located, the doctor will hold them with the help of a clamp outside the scrotum.

6. A needle-like tool is used to make a hole in the scrotum.

7. Next, the doctor pulls out the vas deferens through the hole and cuts or ligates them.

8. After the vas deferens are cut, they are sealed with stitches, clips, or mild electrical pulse.

9. The doctor will finally place the vas deferens back in their normal position.

How Is the Recovery After the No-Scalpel Vasectomy Procedure?

After the procedure is complete, the doctor will prescribe some painkillers like Acetaminophen. The doctor might provide instructions to the patient on how to take care of the scrotum after the surgery. Therefore, the patient must keep the following things in mind regarding the surgery:

• A hole that was created using the needle-like tool in the scrotum will heal on its own. However, the doctor will cover the hole with gauze dressings which need to be changed once or twice a day.

• A small amount of blood oozes out of the scrotum, but that is normal and will stop after 24 hours.

• The patient might not require any gauze pads after 24 hours, but he must keep the affected area clean.

• It is alright if the patient takes a bath after one day, but he must remain careful while drying the scrotum.

• The patient can apply ice packs or a bag of frozen vegetables to reduce the swelling and pain for the first 36 hours after the procedure.

• Do not get involved in sexual activities for a week after the procedure.

• Avoid lifting heavy objects or weights, and refrain from doing strenuous activities after the procedure.

• The patient might return to his normal activities 48 hours after the procedure.

What Are the Possible Complications of No-Scalpel Vasectomy?

The patient might feel uncomfortable for a few days after the procedure, but complications are rare. The complications of no-scalpel vasectomy are listed below:

• Redness.

• Swelling of the scrotum.

• Unbearable pain.

• Build up of sperm that forms a lump or a mass in the testicles called a sperm granuloma.

• The patient might not produce sperm during the first few weeks after the vasectomy.

Conclusion:

The no-scalpel vasectomy is as effective as the traditional vasectomy procedure. It has become a popular choice for patients and doctors because it is less traumatic than a conventional vasectomy. The success rate of a no-scalpel vasectomy is better than a conventional vasectomy. Also, the patient's recovery rate after the procedure is better than a conventional vasectomy. So, the patient must consult a doctor before undergoing a no-scalpel vasectomy to know its advantages and disadvantages.