Vasectomy
What is a Vasectomy?
A vasectomy is an operation intended as a permanent method of male contraception. The aim is to render a man infertile and therefore unable to father any more children.
Your procedure will take place in the Chichester Treatment Centre at St Richard’s Hospital (Bracklesham Suite Treatment Room). It will be performed under local anaesthetic
and takes about 30 minutes.
We suggest that you arrange to be collected from the hospital, as you will be unable to drive yourself home.
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Before the operation
You are able to drink and eat normally and take any regular medication.
Your scrotum will need to be hair-free prior to your appointment. It is important that this is done thoroughly and completely
on the day of surgery. The illustration identifies the area you need to shave/cream.
Please ensure your scrotum is clean on arrival.
Please bring supportive underwear.
What does the operation involve?
When the area is cleaned and numbed with local anaesthetic injection, one or two incisions are made into the scrotum.
The sperm carrying tubes are then brought to the surface. The tubes are called vas deferens and a segment is removed from
each side. The ends are firmly sealed to prevent them rejoining. Each incision is then closed using self-dissolving sutures.
What happens after the operation?
You will be taken to a recovery area for around 30 minutes, where you can relax with a cup of tea or coffee. You will be able to leave the hospital when you have
recovered from the immediate effects of the operation and the doctor/nurse is happy for you to do so.
Recovery and recommendations
It is usual to experience a little bruising, swelling and mild discomfort. However, it is recommended that you: Rest for 48 hours. You will be able to resume work when you feel comfortable, usually after 2-3 days rest, although avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercises or
driving long distances for 1-2 weeks.
 Continue to wear supportive underwear until comfortable, usually one week.
 Shower daily but otherwise ensure that the incision sites are kept clean and dry to prevent infection
 Mild tenderness is normal. Take simple painkillers if necessary
 You are able to resume sexual activity when you feel comfortable. It is very important that you remember this procedure is NOT immediately effective. Therefore
an alternative form of contraception must be used until you are notified that you are no longer fertile.
Are there any risks?
The doctor will have discussed the risks with you prior to the procedure but a vasectomy should be regarded as irreversible. Even if at a later date the tubes were rejoined,
the quality of the sperm may be reduced due to the late development of sperm antibodies.
There is a rare late failure rate of 1 in 2000, when the vas ends rejoin resulting in fertility and pregnancy.
Some swelling and bruising can be expected afterwards. However, if there is heavy bruising or bleeding you may need some further intervention.
Sometimes inflammation or infection of the testes/epididymis can occur, for which you may require antibiotics.
A small number of men may experience chronic testicular pain (around 5%).
The future
As previously stated, this procedure is NOT immediately effective. You will be asked to send two semen samples to the laboratory at 16 and 18 weeks. This will
check that sterility has been achieved. The results of your semen analysis will be communicated to you by letter once we have received the second sample.
Please ensure that you take appropriate pots and forms after surgery.
Remember an alternative form of contraception must be used until you are notified that the sperm samples are no longer fertile.