What is a no scalpel vasectomy?
Traditionally, a vasectomy was performed with a scalpel. After an anaesthetic was injected, the surgeon made an incision in the skin over the vas. This was usually 2 – 3 cm long. Next, he grasped the vas through this opening with a specialised instrument, lifted it out and proceeded with blocking the vas.
Then he would do the same on the other side. Each incision was closed with a skin suture.
What is the difference between a No Scalpel Vasectomy and traditional methods?
The fundamental difference between no scalpel and traditional vasectomy is in how the vas is grasped. With no scalpel a very specialised instrument, developed by a Chinese surgeon, is used. Here a tiny puncture is made in the skin over the vas and the tips of the instrument introduced.
These tips are slowly opened, spreading the skin and all the tissues (blood vessels, nerves etc) to each side. Next the vas is grasped with another specialised instrument, and the vas lifted out through the tiny opening. From here on the process is the same as traditional vasectomy.
The opening here is no bigger than 0.5 cm, and no scalpel is done through a single midline opening. No skin suture is needed.
Is a no scalpel vasectomy better?
Because this single opening is so much smaller, and the delicate tissues moved to the side instead of being cut through, there is much less bleeding and tissue damage.
