 |
 |
|
|
BREVARD COUNTY'S TOP UROLOGISTS A Division of Osler Medical Vasectomy Overview Vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure to cut and close off the tubes (vas deferens) that deliver sperm from the testes; it is usually performed as a means of contraception. The procedure typically takes from 15–30 minutes and usually causes few complications and no change in sexual function. About 500,000 vasectomies are performed annually in the United States. A vasectomy
is less invasive than a tubal ligation (i.e., the procedure used to prevent
a woman's eggs from reaching the uterus) and more easily reversed. An increasing
number of couples choose it as a means of permanent birth control. Male Reproductive System To understand a vasectomy, it is helpful to understand the male reproductive system and how it functions. The testicles, or testes, are the sperm- and testosterone-producing organs. They are located in a sac at the base of the penis called the scrotum. Each testicle is connected to a small, coiled tube called the epididymis, where sperm are stored for as long as 6 weeks while they mature. The epididymes are connected to the prostate gland by a pair of tubes called the vas deferens. The vas deferens are part of a larger bundle of tissue, blood vessels, nerves,
and lymphatic channels called the spermatic cord. During ejaculation, seminal
fluid produced by the prostate gland mixes with sperm from the testes to form
semen, which is ejaculated from the penis. Procedure One of our urologists performs a vasectomy on an outpatient basis, usually in the office. The procedure takes about 15–30 minutes. The patient typically remains clothed from the waist up and lies on his back. The scrotum is numbed with one or more injections of local anesthetic (lidocaine), the vas deferens is gathered under the skin of the scrotum, and a small incision (usually 1 centimeter or less) is made. The vas deferens is then pulled through the incision, cut in two places, and a 1-centimeter segment is removed. Each end of the vas deferens is surgically tied off or clipped, and placed back in the scrotum. The incisions are dressed and most men go home immediately after the procedure.
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Osler Urology
©2008 Osler Urology - A Division of Osler Medical.
|
||||||||||||||||||
