Vasectomy
A vasectomy prevents fertilization by interrupting the ability of spermatozoa to travel from the male testicle (where they develop) through the vas deferens (part of the spermatic cord). This is almost always done by dividing the vas deferens on both sides.
There are several techniques for performing the procedure, and a new gimmick has surfaced over the past few years: "no-needle vasectomy."
This involves numbing the skin of the scrotum with an anesthetic using a syringe that does not use a needle. Because my uncle held an original patent for this syringe over 30 years ago, this is not a new gimmick.
The discomfort from vasectomy does not come from the scrotum, however, but from the scrotal cord itself, which cannot be anesthetized using this type of syringe. Almost 1 in 10 men who have a vasectomy have some discomfort after the procedure (even with "no-needle vasectomies"), no matter what type of anesthetic syringe is used.
Furthermore, the incisions needed to perform a vasectomy are tiny. There is no such thing as a "no incision" vasectomy. (This is another marketing gimmick).
In fact, multiple individuals require "repeat vasectomies" because they are not able to tolerate "in office" vasectomies (no matter which method is used).
Although Dr. Mazzarella can provide "in office" vasectomies when requested, he prefers to provide sedation as part of the procedure to reduce anxiety and discomfort, in our operative suites.
Vasectomy in general has a very good success rate. However, one method appears to be the most reliable, and this is the one Dr. Mazzarella uses. No only is the vas deferens divided, but the distal end is also cauterized and a small bit of fascia is closed over the divided ends, preventing the two divided ends from healing back together again.
Dr. Mazzarella has performed hernia repairs for for over 15 years, and has run several hernia clinics. Hernia repair involves working with the scrotal cord, and the potential complications of both vasectomies and hernia repair are similar. Dr. Mazzarella is especially careful in preserving the blood supply to the testicle, which runs next to the spermatic cord and can be damaged in both a vasectomy and a hernia repair. Inexperienced practitioners of vasectomy can easily injure these delicate vessels, and this is a major cause of post-vasectomy complications (even though it is generally not mentioned on the Internet).
Millions of men have had vasectomy, however, and it is generally safe and effective.
After reading the rest of this page (and the relevant links), if you are interested in this procedure, then click here (consent forms are also here).
More resources and counseling regarding vasectomy:
* Sterilization for Women and Men (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)
* Vasectomy (Medicinenet)
* Patient Information Booklet -- Sterilization (US Dept. of Health and Human Services) (en español)