Vasectomy is a permanent birth control or sterilization option for men. There are several methods of vasectomy performed by a doctor or surgeon. The pain, discomfort and time consumed for the individual method is what makes them differ from each other. Here is a look at the different types of vasectomy procedures that are available:
Conventional Vasectomy
In conventional vasectomy, an incision will be made on one side of the scrotum, from which one vas deferens will be taken out followed by fitting with two clamps. The segment between the clamps will then be removed and the two open ends are sealed with sutures and cauterized with an electric needle. The sealing technique may not be the same in all cases. Sometimes it can be typing or clipping. Once the sealing procedure is done, the vas deferens will be gently placed back into the scrotum and the same process will be done on the other vas deferens as well. The scrotum area will be injected with local anesthesia prior to this process. The process of injecting anesthesia can be painful. However, if permitted, the patient can apply any anesthetic cream to reduce the pain during the injection.
Open and Closed-Ended Vasectomy
In open-ended vasectomy, only one end of the vas deferens are sutured and the other end is left open. The end leading to the prostate is the one that is tied and the end connected to the testis is left open. An open ended vasectomy is one of the more popular types of vasectomy as it involves less risk of any complication before, during and after the procedure. Also, the amount of discomfort and pain that is associated with this method is low in comparison to other vasectomy procedures. Unlike in an open ended vasectomy, in the closed ended vasectomy procedure both the open ends of the vas deferens that are cut are sealed or tied.
No-Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV)
No-Scalpel Vasectomy is different from the conventional vasectomy technique. In this procedure, the doctor feels and holds the tubes under the skin. The tubes are then held in place using a small ring-like clamp. A small puncture is then made on the scrotum near the vas deferens tubes and from this puncture the tubes are stretched and pulled out. This process of taking out the tubes is called ‘supination maneuver.’ Here the surgeon will rotate his wrist to take out the tubes. The tubes are then cut and the ends are sealed by suturing and then they are cauterized. In this procedure, the opening made on the scrotum does not need to be closed as they are too small and so can heal naturally. No-Scalpel Vasectomy is the most opted vasectomy procedure as it is considered as the safest among all other methods. Also, in comparison to other methods, bleeding will be meager, leaves no scar post vasectomy, inflicts less pain and is performed usually under 10 to 15 minutes.
Vasclip Implantation
In this method, vasclip (a rice-sized plastic clip) is made use of to lock the vas deferens in order to prevent sperm from following through the ejaculation duct. There is no sealing of vas deferns tubes involved in this process. It is only the vasclip that locks the vas deferens. Though there are no complications involved in this process, this birth control option is not as effective as other vasectomy procedures.