WHAT HAPPENS DURING A VASECTOMY?
Essentially, a vasectomy involves severing both sperm ducts (also known as the epididymides or vas deferentia) by cutting, then tying or cauterising the severed ends to prevent them from joining up again, said Dr Chia.
To access the tubes, “one or two incisions are made in the scrotum or skin sac that holds the testes”, said Dr Chia. These initial cuts can be made with a scalpel in what is known as scalpel vasectomy. “It is usually done within half an hour.”
In non-scalpel vasectomy, “a pair of sharp, pointed instruments is used to make a small puncture on each side of the scrotal skin” instead, said Dr Tan.
“The vas deferens is then brought out of the skin puncture,” said Dr Tan, before it is cut, cauterised, buried and the scrotal skin sewn back up with a single stitch on each side. “This method is less invasive, results in less bleeding, and typically has a faster recovery.”
A vasectomy can be performed under general or localised anaesthesia, said Dr Chia, making it possible as day surgery or as an outpatient procedure.
Dr Tan noted that performing the procedure under local anaesthesia is technically more challenging as it requires “operating with the surrounding swelling”. Some patients may also feel some ways about being conscious and aware of what’s going on during the procedure with local anaesthesia.
