Procedure

No-Scalpel Vasectomy at Vasectomy Cork

A No-Scalpel Vasectomy is a safe and effective minor surgical procedure performed under local anaesthetic. It is the most reliable form of long term contraception available. It has a very low risk of side effects and patients return to normal activities within a couple of days.

No-Scalpel Vasectomy takes approximately 15-20 minutes to perform.

During this minor procedure the tubes that carry sperm from your testes to mix with your semen is divided. These tubes are called the Vas Deferens. A very small opening is made in the skin (2 to 3 mm) on one or, rarely on both sides, and the tube is visualized and divided via this opening. The ends of the divided tube are sealed. The opening is so small that no scalpel is required and one external dissolvable stitch is al that is needed to seal this wound. It will heal in 24 to 36 hours. Once this Vas Deferens is divided it will prevents any further sperm becoming part of your semen. This prevents conception resulting from intercourse.

Immediately following your vasectomy it will be necessary to continue to use alternative contraception for up to 16 weeks as there is still sperm present in stored semen. A Vasectomy is considered fully effective in 99.9% of men at 16 weeks after your procedure.

Prior to your vasectomy procedure it is necessary for you to fill out an online pre-operative questionnaire. This is to enable us to determine if there are any underlying conditions that might make the patient unsuitable for a local anaesthetic vasectomy. Once we have received this information we will make contact with the patient to offer them a date for the procedure.

Since the procedure simply interrupts the delivery of sperm and not semen it does not change hormonal function, sexual drive or sexual function including ejaculation.
The benefit of No-Scalpel Vasectomy over conventional vasectomy is reduced discomfort, far less bruising and bleeding and a shorter recovery time after your vasectomy.

What to do before your vasectomy

It is necessary to shave the hair off the scrotum and the base of the penis. This is best performed one or two days before your procedure.
Eat as normal.
Shower as normal on the morning of the procedure..
We strongly recommend that you bring good supporting underwear, preferably neat-fitting briefs, to wear immediately following your vasectomy and for the first 2 to 3 days as this will provide essential scrotal support.

What to expect following your vasectomy

Rest at home for 24 hours after your vasectomy
In the first 48 hours mild discomfort can be expected which is however easily managed with good supporting underwear and over the counter painkillers, specifically Paracetamol and Nurofen at the recommended dosages.
While the majority of patients can return to work the day after the procedure. The exception may be where you have a position that involves a high level of physical activity. In this circumstance you may be advised not to return to work for up to 72 hours post your vasectomy.
Bruising on the scrotum is quite normal in the days following your vasectomy and this will gradually reduce over a period of a week.
Non-contact sports can be resumed a week after your vasectomy. Contact sports may be resumed two weeks after the procedure in most instances.
Sexual activity may be resumed usually 48 to 72 hours after your vasectomy. It is essential to continue to use other forms of contraception until you have two clear semen samples.

Semen Analysis Sampling

It is essential that you comply with semen analysis testing following your vasectomy. This is to guarantee that there are no moving sperm in your semen prior to resuming intercourse without contraceptive cover.

At Vasectomy Cork we will explain the manner by which you should provide these samples and also provide you with the appropriate containers and postage envelopes before you head home after your vasectomy.

Currently one clear semen specimen is required prior to confirming the efficacy of your vasectomy. This sample is collected at 16 weeks after your procedure. This sample should be posted to the laboratory and we provide special transport envelopes pre-stamped for your convenience. It is important to continue using contraception until we have informed you of the results of this test.

Potential Side Effects of a Vasectomy

Having a vasectomy has no hormonal side effects and will not affect your sex drive or sex life in anyway. Furthermore, vasectomy is not linked with testicular or prostate cancer.

Haematoma (bruising) may occur. The risk of a small haematoma is about 1 in every 100 cases. The risk of a larger haematoma which may require some ice and mild pain relief is 4 in 1000.

Infection is a rare side effect following a vasectomy but will respond to antibiotic therapy if it occurs

Sperm granuloma is a pea-sized lump that can be a little tender that can appear several months after the procedure. It usually does not cause any problems.

Long term risk of Prostate cancer: there is no current evidence to support an increased risk of developing prostate cancer if you have undergone a vasectomy

Post-Vasectomy Pain Syndrome (PVPS):

Very rarely a phenomenon called Post-Vasectomy Pain Syndrome (PVPS) occurs after a vasectomy. This is where pain persists beyond 6 months after their vasectomy. The incidence of this is <1% of vasectomies. This is generally treated with anti-inflammatories such as nurofen and simple pain-killers.

Recanalisation is where the vas deferens manages to "grow back" and reverse the vasectomy making a man potentially fertile again. This can occur in the initial months in 1 in 300 vasectomies. In the rare event of this occurring it will be identified by the semen analysis you carry out after your vasectomy. Your vasectomy is considered effective only once it has been demonstrated by semen analysis that you have no moving sperm in your semen.
Recanalisation may occur later than this time in 1 in 4000 vasectomies.

Vasectomy remains the most reliable and extremely safe form of contraception.