What is a "vasectomy"?

What is a "vasectomy"?

Philip Werthman, FACS (Director, Center for Male Reproductive Medicine) gives expert video advice on: Can a vasectomy be reversed?; Do vasectomies sometimes fail to prevent pregnancy? and more...

A vasectomy is a minor procedure performed on men desiring permanent sterilization, permanent contraception. They have made the decision that they no longer want to father a child. A small incision used to be made, but nowadays, it is done without an incision. It's done with a tiny little hole made in the skin of the scrotum right above the vas. The vas is grabbed in a little clamp and it's pulled up, a couple of titanium clips are placed on the ends of the vas and a small cut is made between them, the two ends are dumped back in, and the hole is so small that it seals up on its own. Men don't even need a stitch any more. It's all done under local anesthesia. It's just like going to the dentist and getting a tiny little shot in the skin with some Novocain. It's a very affective technique of permanent male contraception.