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"Painless Vasectomy…?"
"Well, not really." But, I did have a nice little chuckle
when one of our High Country Health Care employees called me to inquire
about this new procedure she had heard about. You see, someone had told
her about a new type of vasectomy that was "painless", and she
was hoping that her husband might be more willing to have such a
procedure. Unfortunately, she was slightly misinformed. The
"new" procedure is actually called a "no-scalpel"
vasectomy. And, while it is no more and no less painful from the
traditional scalpel variety vasectomy, it does offer a few small
advantages. Both techniques use the same local anesthesia, which (if you
have been to a dentist or had the need for a laceration repair) does
cause some mild burning pain for a few seconds after injected into the
skin. Where the techniques differ is in how the vas deferen (the
small tube which carries the sperm from the testicle) is isolated.
The "No-scalpel" technique was developed in China, where
vasectomy is extremely common. Two new instruments were developed which
enable the surgeon to isolate the vas deferen through one tiny
hole instead of the usual one or two separate incisions. In addition,
the instruments make separating the vas deferen from the
spermatic cord, in which it located, easier and less traumatic. The
procedure takes less time than the traditional technique and the net
result is a lower complication rate and shorter recovery time. There is
frequently less swelling and a slightly lower rate of infection and
bleeding complications. Because no incision is made in the skin, there
are no sutures to be removed. Surgeons often use an absorbable suture
under the skin in the scalpel technique, which means no sutures need to
be removed, but this can cause more skin irritation at the site of the
incision(s). |
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Both techniques are equally effective.
Surprisingly, approximately 2 in 1000 vasectomies fail – the body
manages to reconnect the tube no matter what technique is used. Tubal
ligation has a similar failure rate. Although vasectomies have been
successfully reversed (from 15 to 75% rate, depending on how long ago it
was done, where the tube was divided, and whether or not sperm
antibodies were formed), the procedure should be considered permanent.
If vasectomy seems like it might be the right choice of contraception
for you, consult with your doctor. There is also quite a lot of
information on the Web about vasectomies.
Larry
E. George,
is a provider for High Country Health Care, PC, in Silverthorne, CO. |
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