The no-scalpel vasectomy: a new technique
Huber, D.H.
Avsc News 26(1): 1,2
1988
PMID: 12269068 Document Number: 352060
The Association for Voluntary Surgical Contraception is slowly introducing a refined method of vasectomy that eliminates the scalpel to leading urologists in the US. After local anesthesia in injected into the scrotum, a specially designed vas-fixing forceps encircles and firmly secures the vas through the skin. A modified curved hemostat with sharpened points is then used to puncture the skin and vas sheath and to stretch the puncture hole to form a small opening in the scrotum. Then the vas is lifted out. It is cut and tied, or cauterized, as in other vasectomy techniques. The same midline puncture site can be used to deliver the 2nd vas. No sutures are needed to close the tiny wound, in this almost bloodless procedure. The no-scalpel technique reduces the incidence of hematoma dramatically. The Chinese report a hematoma rate of 0.08% in 1 study. The Chinese have performed an estimated 8 million no-scalpel vasectomies since the technique was introduced in 1974. It is the standard technique for vasectomy in China.