Wednesday, January 23, 2008

My Vasectomy Part 2 - The Choices

Incision vs. "No Scalpel"


In the "standard" vasectomy procedure (shown in the first diagram), the doctor uses a scalpel to make two incisions in your scrotum, one on each side.


But there's a newer "No Scalpel" technique that makes just one very small hole. It's so small it doesn't even need stitches. The idea is that it will hurt less and heal faster. If you're really curious you can check out "No-Scalpel Vasectomy: An Illustrated Guide for Surgeons". It's got all the info, and lots of drawings.

Anesthetic: Needle or No Needle


An even newer innovation is "no needle" anesthesia. The classic "needle" method is shown in the middle picture above. I wouldn't want those pliers anywhere near my nuts. But the real reason why the "needle" method is painful is that the doctor is not just sticking a needle in your ball sac, but then he has to thread it up along the vas deferens for a ways:





So check out this alternative:





Existing technique vs. no needle approach


The traditional method of vasectomy involves inserting a needle into the scrotum to anesthetize the area around each vas deferens prior to surgery - a key reason why the procedure can be painful.

With the new, no needle approach to vasectomy, the physician can anesthetize the surgical area with a jet anesthetic device, which delivers the numbing agent without use of a needle.


Now that's what I'm talking about. Yeah.

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